Nigeria delivered a commanding performance against Ivory Coast in the Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Africa Qualifier Group C on Sunday, November 24, in Lagos. Setting a mammoth target of 272, Nigeria bowled out Ivory Coast for a record-low 7 runs, marking the lowest total in men’s T20I history.

The Nigerian innings was powered by Selim Salau’s explosive 112 off just 53 balls, supported by half-centuries from Sulaimon Runsewe and Isaac Okpe.
Their dominant display of batting was complemented by a lethal bowling effort led by left-arm spinner Isaac Danladi and left-arm pacer Prosper Useni, who claimed a three wicket haul each. Peter Aho and Sylvester Okpe chipped in with two and one wicket, respectively, while one batter was run out.

Nigeria Thrash Ivory Coast by 264 Runs, Record Historic T20I Victory in Africa Qualifier

Ivory Coast’s innings collapsed in just 7.3 overs. Opener Ouattara Mohamed scored four runs, the highest in the team, while the remaining batters managed only three runs collectively.

ALSO READ Zimbabwe shatters the world T20I record; Smashes highest runs in T20I format 344 against Gambia

Notably, this is the first instance of a team being bowled out for less than 10 runs in men’s T20Is, breaking the previous lowest total of 10, recorded by Mongolia against Singapore in 2023 and Isle of Man against Spain in 2022.

Nigeria’s 264-run victory now ranks as the third-highest margin in T20I history. Zimbabwe holds the top spot with a 290-run win over Gambia in October 2024, followed by Nepal’s 273-run triumph against Mongolia at the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou.

With this win, Nigeria leads the six-team table of Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Africa Qualifier Group C, while Ivory Coast sits at the bottom.