Selim Salau
Isaac Danladi
Isaac Okpe
Ali Rahmon
Miracle Akhigbe
Sylvester Okpe
Juma Miyaji
Alpesh Ramjani
Enock Kasaija
Kenneth Waiswa
Joseph Baguma
Raghav Dhawan
Robinson Obuya
Riazat Ali Shah
Olipa Gerald
Sumeet Verma
Abdullahi Ismail
Kenneth Boniface
Chima Akachukwu
Ridwan Abdul Kareem
Under a scorching 31.8 °C sky with barely a hint of rain, Nigeria edged Uganda by the slimmest of margins – a single run – in a thriller that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very last ball. The decisive moment came when Isaac Danladi, already looking in charge with a rapid 47 off 28 balls, struck a boundary off the final delivery, taking the total to 148/10 and leaving Uganda needing 149 to win. The tension was palpable as Uganda’s last wicket fell with just one run required, cementing a historic win for the hosts.
Match Summary
Winning the toss, Nigeria elected to bat first on the well‑prepared Oval 1 surface at the Nigeria Cricket Federation in Abuja. The innings began cautiously, with Selim Salau providing a steady start, contributing 30 runs off 24 balls. However, it was Danladi’s explosive cameo that turned the tide. His 47 runs, packed with four fours and three sixes, propelled Nigeria to a competitive Nigeria T20I score of 148 for 10 in 19.4 overs. The innings was bolstered by a disciplined spell from Juma Miyaji, who claimed 2 for 17 in his four‑over spell, while the other bowlers kept the run‑rate in check.
Chasing 149, Uganda’s innings was anchored by a sensational 60 off 36 balls from Riazat Ali Shah, who seemed set to guide his side to a famous victory. Yet, disciplined bowling from Isaac Okpe (2 for 18) and Abdullahi Ismail (2 for 30) kept the pressure high. As the overs ticked down, Uganda required just one run off the final ball with one wicket in hand. A mis‑timed scoop off the bowler’s yorker resulted in a simple catch, sealing a 147‑9 finish and handing Nigeria a narrow win.
Key Performances
Isaac Danladi (Nigeria) – 47 runs off 28 balls (4 fours, 3 sixes). His aggressive intent set the platform for the winning total.
Riazat Ali Shah (Uganda) – 60 runs off 36 balls (7 fours, 3 sixes). The standout innings for Uganda, keeping them in the hunt until the final over.
Juma Miyaji (Nigeria) – 2 wickets for 17 runs in 4 overs. Provided early breakthroughs and kept the scoring rate low.
Isaac Okpe (Uganda) – 2 wickets for 18 runs in 4 overs. His tight spell in the middle overs was crucial in restricting Nigeria’s run‑flow.
Other notable contributions include Selim Salau’s steady 30, Enock Kasaija’s economical 1 for 27 in 3.4 overs, and Alpesh Ramjani’s hard‑working 1 for 43 despite a high economy.
Turning Points
The match swung on three pivotal moments. First, Danladi’s partnership with Salau after the early loss of wickets gave Nigeria the momentum they needed. Second, Miyaji’s early wickets broke through Uganda’s top order, forcing them into a chase that relied heavily on Shah’s brilliance. Finally, the last‑ball drama – a simple catch off a lofted scoop – turned a potential Uganda victory into a heart‑breaking defeat. Each of these moments highlighted the fine margins that define T20 cricket.
Series Implications
With this win, Nigeria registers its first victory over Uganda in the all‑time head‑to‑head, breaking an 0‑8 record. The three points earned boost Nigeria’s standing in the Men's T20 World Cup Africa Sub Regional Qualifier C 2026 table, keeping their hopes alive for progression to the next stage. Uganda, despite the loss, remains a strong contender thanks to Shah’s form, but will need to regroup quickly as the next qualifier match looms.
Fans searching for the Men's T20 World Cup Africa Sub Regional Qualifier C 2026 live score will find the full scoreboard and ball‑by‑ball commentary on major cricket portals. The result also adds fresh intrigue to the ongoing narrative of Uganda cricket today and the rising standards of Nigeria vs Uganda T20I encounters.
Looking ahead, both teams will aim to fine‑tune their strategies. Nigeria will likely lean on the explosive middle order that delivered the win, while Uganda will seek to support Shah with more consistent partnerships. The next fixtures promise more high‑octane action as the qualifier race intensifies.