THE Nigeria U-19 Cricket Team has gained promotion into the International Cricket Council (ICC) U-19 Division1 after emerging winner of the ICC U-19 World Cup qualifier division 2.

The qualifier ended on Tuesday in South Africa with Nigeria now qualified for the ICC World Cup 2020 event.

The Nigeria side defeated Sierra Leone with a 137 runs victory in the much anticipated final to lift the trophy.

The opening partnership of 148 runs between Elijah Olaleye and Samuel Mba gave Nigeria a dream start in the finals.

However, Olaleye’s brilliant display of bating prowess hits 110 runs of 124 balls strongly supported by Mba with 64 runs off 124 balls.

As the match progressed, there was a brief scare with three quick wickets before the team came through to record a total score of 242 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 50 overs.

Nigeria’s Peter Aho, in the second innings, continued his fine bowling form with a brilliant spell of five wickets making it his second five wickets haul in the tournament.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria team recorded a win in all their matches played, defeating Ghana, Mozambique, Lesotho, Tanzania and finally Sierra Leone.

Nigeria will compete alongside Namibia, Kenya, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania in the ICC U-19 Division 1 slated for March 2019.  (NAN)

– Aug. 28, 2018 @ 17:15 GMT |