ON a day the final game of the series between Kuwait and Japan was abandoned without a ball bowled, Nigeria claimed a major victory by beating hosts, Botswana, to go on top of the table and thus qualify for the division six of the World Cricket League (WCL).Kuwait was expected to routinely beat Japan to win the championship, but the game did not hold although the International Cricket Council (ICC) has provisionally awarded a point apiece to both teams.With Kuwait ending on seven points, Nigeria, which defeated Botswana by eight wickets by the Duckworth Lewis Method, ended on top of the log with eight points.In the game played at the Botswana Cricket Association Oval 1, Gaborone, Nigeria won the won the toss and elected to bowl. It restricted home team to 123 all out. The target was reduced to 120 runs when the game was delayed due to rains, and Nigeria achieved the target in 25 overs, and in the process got its first victory over Botswana.With Nigerias bowlers attacking the wickets from the start of the innings, Botswana was all out for paltry 123 runs in 37.2 0vers.Femi Oduyebo took three wickets for 21 runs in seven overs, Sean Philips, three wickets for 10 runs in 6.2 overs, Joshua Ogunlola two wickets for 20 runs in seven overs, Seye Olympio accounted for one wicket for two runs in six overs, while Saheed Akolade took one wicket for 25 runs in six overs.Noor Ahmad (Botswana) scored 27 runs, Captain of the side, Akrum Chand was stopped at 28 runs, while Moses scored 24 runs.The opening pair of Demola Onikoyi and Segun Olayinka set the tone on a high note putting up a partnership of 71 runs before the wicket of Onikoyi fell in the 11th over after smashing 35 runs off 31 balls.Ramit Gill (five not out) and Segun Olayinka finished off the match after Okwudili was dismissed for 11 runs. Segun Olayinkas impressive innings of 53 runs not out off 72 balls secured the deserved victory for Nigeria.
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