In a jaw-dropping display of cricketing ineptitude, Ivory Coast registered the lowest ever men’s T20 international score, succumbing to a measly 7 runs against a rampant Nigerian side at the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval in Lagos on Sunday. The stunning collapse, which saw six Ivorian batsmen perish for ducks, handed Nigeria an emphatic 264-run victory in the 2026 T20 World Cup regional qualifier.
Salau’s Sensational Century Sets the Stage
Nigerian opener Selim Salau laid the foundation for the one-sided affair, smashing a blistering 112 off just 53 deliveries after Nigeria won the toss and elected to bat. Salau’s pyrotechnics, coupled with solid contributions from his teammates, propelled the hosts to an imposing total of 271.
Ivory Coast’s Batting Implosion
Faced with a daunting chase, Ivory Coast’s batting lineup spectacularly imploded, with opener Ouattara Mohamed top-scoring with a paltry 4 runs. Mimi Alex, Maiga Ibrahim, and Dje Claude each managed a solitary run, while the remaining six batsmen failed to trouble the scorers. The Ivorians’ feeble reply was a far cry from the batting prowess exhibited by their Nigerian counterparts.
It was a surreal experience watching wicket after wicket fall without any resistance. We knew we had a good total on the board, but never in our wildest dreams did we expect such a dramatic collapse.
– A Nigerian team official, speaking on condition of anonymity
Rewriting the Record Books
Ivory Coast’s abysmal performance saw them eclipse the previous lowest men’s T20I score of 10, jointly held by Mongolia and the Isle of Man. The 264-run margin of defeat also ranks as the third-largest in men’s T20I history, underscoring the sheer dominance of the Nigerian side.
- Lowest men’s T20I scores:
- 7 – Ivory Coast vs Nigeria, 2024
- 10 – Mongolia, Isle of Man
- Largest victories in men’s T20Is (by runs):
- 296 – Turkey vs Czech Republic, 2019
- 280 – South Africa vs Eswatini, 2022
- 264 – Nigeria vs Ivory Coast, 2024
Implications for the T20 World Cup Qualifiers
The humiliating defeat deals a severe blow to Ivory Coast’s aspirations of progressing further in the 2026 T20 World Cup qualifiers. With the cricketing world still reeling from the unprecedented nature of their capitulation, the Ivorians will need to regroup quickly if they hope to salvage any pride in their remaining matches.
As for Nigeria, the resounding victory serves as a statement of intent, highlighting their potential to emerge as a force to be reckoned with in African cricket. With Selim Salau in scintillating form and a bowling attack capable of dismantling opposition lineups, the Super Eagles will fancy their chances of making a deep run in the qualifier tournament.
The cricketing fraternity will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on both teams as the qualifiers progress, eager to see whether Ivory Coast can bounce back from this ignominious defeat and if Nigeria can continue their impressive run of form. One thing is certain: the record-breaking match at the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval will live long in the memory, serving as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of the gentleman’s game.
