In a stunning flip of occasions on the ICC T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional qualifiers, newcomers Ivory Coast etched their identify into cricket historical past for all of the mistaken causes. Of their second-ever T20 Worldwide match, they have been bowled out for the bottom rating in opposition to host nation Nigeria, struggling a staggering 264-run defeat. This dismal efficiency marked the bottom complete ever recorded in males’s T20I historical past, surpassing the earlier report of 10 runs set by Mongolia earlier this 12 months.
Ivory Coast undergo an embarrassing outing of their second ever T20I
The match unfolded on the Tafawa Balewa Sq. Cricket Oval in Lagos, the place Nigeria gained the toss and opted to bat first. Their innings was a show of dominance, led by Selim Salau, who scored a powerful 112 runs off simply 53 balls, changing into the primary Nigerian to realize a T20I century. Alongside him, Sulaimon Runsewe and Isaac Okpe contributed considerably with scores of 50 and 65 not out, respectively, propelling Nigeria to a formidable complete of 271 runs.
In stark distinction, Ivory Coast’s batting lineup crumbled underneath stress. Their innings lasted simply 7.3 overs, with solely opener Ouattara Katienefoa Mohamad managing to attain greater than a single run, ending with 4 runs off 6 balls. The remainder of the workforce faltered dramatically, with seven gamers failing to attain and three others managing just one run every contributing to the report lowest complete of seven runs. This collapse was emblematic of an inexperienced aspect struggling to search out its footing on the worldwide stage.
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A protracted solution to go as an affiliate member nation
The magnitude of Ivory Coast’s defeat is underscored by the truth that they’re now holders of the report for the bottom complete in males’s T20Is. The earlier report was shared between Mongolia and the Isle of Man, each having been bowled out for 10 runs in separate matches. Moreover, this match additionally ranks as one of many largest victory margins in T20I historical past, coming in third behind Zimbabwe‘s 290-run win over Gambia.
Regardless of this devastating loss, it’s important to acknowledge that Ivory Coast remains to be in its infancy as a world cricketing nation. Inducted as an Affiliate member of the ICC in 2022, their participation on this event represents a essential step of their growth. The Federation Ivoirienne de Cricket has initiated a number of home competitions since cricket’s introduction in 2015, however progress stays sluggish.
As Ivory Coast continues its journey in worldwide cricket, this expertise will function a studying alternative. Whereas their begin has been marred by an undesirable report, additionally it is a reminder of the challenges confronted by rising groups on the worldwide stage.