Nigeria’s under-19 cricket team have received high recommendation from International Cricket Council (ICC) tournament director, Kuben Pillay, following their winning run at the Africa World Cup qualifiers, sports247.ng reports.
The Nigerian team stepped up their efforts to reach the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup by beating Kenya in their second match of the competition, much to the amazement of Pillay, who described it as commendable.
After observing Tuesday as rest, matches will resume on Wednesday, when Nigeria take their unbeaten run to top team, Uganda, Tanzania tango Kenya and the hosts, Namibia battle high-flying Sierra Leone.
After shocking the hosts, Namibia in their first match, Nigeria proved their determination to pick one of the tickets at stake with a 58 runs win over Kenya at United Cricket Club Ground in Windhoek.
In response, Pillay said the Nigerians showed good attitude and promise in the Division 2 tournament last year in South Africa, while also relying on tenacious fielding to stun the hosts, which is again paying off.
Pillay added that, being the team to bat first, Nigeria scored a below par 129 for eight, with Samuel Mba scoring a patient 25 from 90 balls, and Miracle Ikiage chipping in with 22.
Mauritius Ngupita took three for 16 for the hosts, who finally crashed to 77 all out, with man of the match Sylvester Okpe grabbing three for 16 in seven overs, which Pillay said was: “A well-deserved 52-run triumph.”
