Nigeria dismisses Ivory Coast for lowest total in men’s T20I history

Lagos witnessed a historic clash in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Africa Qualifier Group C on Sunday as Nigeria decimated Ivory Coast by a staggering 264 runs, setting multiple records in the process. Ivory Coast’s 7 all out became the lowest total ever recorded in men's T20Is, shattering the previous mark of 10, recorded twice in recent years.

After winning the toss and opting to bat, Nigeria unleashed a batting blitz. Selim Salau's sensational 53-ball 112 (retired out), supported by half-centuries from Sulaimon Runsewe (50 off 29) and Isaac Okpe (65* off 23), powered the hosts to a daunting 271 for 4 in 20 overs.

In response, Ivory Coast’s batting lineup crumbled spectacularly. Left-arm spinner Isaac Danladi (3/2) and pacer Prosper Useni (3/3) wreaked havoc, with Peter Aho and Sylvester Okpe chipping in to complete the rout. The top score for Ivory Coast came from opener Ouattara Mohamed, who managed just 4 runs, as the innings folded in 7.3 overs.

The 264-run margin is now the third-largest victory in men’s T20Is, trailing Zimbabwe’s 290-run triumph over Gambia and Nepal’s 273-run demolition of Mongolia earlier this year.

This victory cements Nigeria's position atop the six-team standings, while Ivory Coast languishes at the bottom after another crushing defeat, having been bowled out for 21 in their opener against Sierra Leone.