NCF U17 Cricket: Niger Triumphs in North Central Zonal Qualifiers

Team Niger showcased their prowess on Tuesday by clinching the Under 17 Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) North Central zonal qualifiers, an event proudly sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). The decisive victory came after a series of five matches played at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

Match Highlights

In the male category showdown, Niger faced off against Benue. Winning the toss, Niger elected to bowl first in this high-stakes 15-over game. Their bowling attack made an immediate impact by dismissing Hamisu Abdulrahman in just the first four balls. However, the team experienced a brief lapse in momentum, conceding 36 extras during the innings.

Despite these setbacks, Benue’s batting line-up struggled to capitalize on the early breakthrough. Their efforts resulted in only 17 runs from the bat, with the team accumulating a total of 53/8 by the end of the 15 overs.

On the chase, Niger’s opening pair, Isaac Oyewole and Usman Ibrahim, forged a rapid partnership, scoring 55 runs without loss in just 9 overs. Their impressive performance sealed the win for Niger, leaving Benue trailing behind.

Coach’s Insights and Tournament Standings

After the match, Niger’s coach, Aliyu Abubakar, expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance. “The boys played well, and while there are areas to improve, they gave their best on the field. Our focus now is on the finals, scheduled to start next week in Abuja. We’re determined to make our zone proud,” he stated.

The final standings for the tournament were as follows:

1st Place: Niger
2nd Place: Benue
3rd Place: Kwara
4th Place: Kogi
5th Place: Plateau State
6th Place: FCT (Federal Capital Territory)

Individual Accolades

Several players shone during the tournament:

Best Batter: Salisu Ishaq (Kogi) – 70 runs
Best Bowler: Mohammed Yahaya (Benue)
Best Fielder: Samuel Ayomide (Kwara)
Most Valuable Player: Marvelous Olusegun (Kwara)

Women’s Category

In the women’s division, three teams competed. Kogi emerged as champions, followed by Kwara in second place and FCT in third. Standout performers included:

Best Female Batter: Sofia Waheed (Kwara) – 44 runs
Best Bowler: Hassana Salihu (Kogi) – 5 wickets
Best Fielder: Husseina Salihu (Kogi)
Most Valuable Player: Fatima Musa (Kogi)

Team Niger’s impressive victory and consistent performance throughout the tournament have set the stage for an exciting final round. As anticipation builds for the finals, the focus remains on harnessing this momentum and aiming for further success in the championship.