By: Mohamed Abu Conteh
Sierra Leone Cricket Association male patriots have won their first match in the ICC World Cup under 19 qualifiers in Nigeria.
Sierra Leone won the toss and decided to field first and take full advantage of that chance and its ket by Mohamed Turay sucker made 25 runs, 3 wickets in seeing overs give them the courage to continue their push wicket run out by wicketkeeper 29 runs 4 wickets in 14 overs.
The male seeing continues their impressive performance as a wicket caught by Daniel Lansayo for 37 runs 5, wickets in a 17 overs wicket bowled by Raymond for 45 runs and 6 wicket moulding overs.
After the recess team, Sierra Leone came with more determining threats to see that they secured the match and clinch their first match in the under-19 World Cup Cricket qualifiers. They end up winning their first match by wicket 54 runs 9 wickets in 23 overs and in their first inning, Sierra Leone needs 56 runs to win the match on a good footing of the ongoing qualifiers in Nigeria.
The host Nigeria try hard to fight back but it was difficult for them and the under -19 boys from Sierra Leone are too strong for them is they maintain their 100% cent in their first match in the qualifiers.
Ghana and Mozambique in group A absent due to a lack of passports organizers to decide later.
Speaking ahead of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Asia Division 2 Qualifier, Oman Cricket Secretary Madhursinh Jesrani said:
“Oman Cricket is delighted to host the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifiers Asia – Division 2. We cordially welcome all the visiting teams to enjoy Oman and its hospitality at its best. We are looking forward to seeing the best brand of youth cricket in the tournament”.
Participating in the tournament, being the hosts, we are looking forward to seeing our U19 National Team at its finest throughout the tournament, displaying an exemplary and enthralling brand of cricket. The team has put the hard yards into moulding themselves according to the requirement to excel in all departments.
The spotlight will also be on Nigeria during this time as the Africa Division 2 Qualifier begins on 30 September in Abuja, where 16 matches will be held to determine the teams that progress to the final qualification event in 2023.
The most promising young players from Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and hosts Nigeria will battle across nine days, resulting in the top three teams progressing to the Africa Qualifier.
The two finalists and the third-best placed team following the event’s conclusion on 8 October will join Namibia, Tanzania, and Uganda in next year’s Africa Qualifier.
General Manager of Nigeria Cricket Federation, Emeka Igwilo said: “We are very excited and looking forward to hosting the Division 2 Africa Qualifier here in Abuja. Everything is in place to ensure a memorable tournament as we extend a warm welcome to all participating countries and officials for this event.
“As a country, we are looking to draw inspiration from the heroics of the team that qualified for the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2019 and we are very optimistic that we can achieve this feat once more. Special appreciation goes to the ICC for awarding Nigeria the hosting rights and providing a platform for cricket to thrive in the continent.”
Sierra Leone under -19 Cricket needs to up more of such when they face their other opponents in their next matches in qualifiers.