Recording three wins from four matches, Nigeria and Tanzania are joint leaders on six points apiece at the ongoing NCF Women’s T20i Invitational Tournament at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval in Lagos.
The Tanzanians are leading by Net Run Rate (2.337) after losing only their first of the four games so far to Rwanda by 33 runs and have gone undefeated since. Nigeria on the other hand is on the same point but with less (0.625) NRR. They are now expected to win their next two matches to retain the trophy. Rwanda has amassed four points so far and is lurking to overrun any of the two leading teams that drop points in their next two encounters at the weekend.
Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the event, Chuma Anosike, urged Nigerians to troop out to support the national team as the tournament enters crescendo this weekend. “This event has become one of the biggest female events in the country, and we are proud of what we have built so far. We are equally glad to see that the Nigerian girls are having a good run so far. “The momentum this event has given all the teams will help their preparation for the All-Africa Games in Ghana and we are glad all the teams are having good opposition and giving them the needed challenge.
This wouldn’t have been possible if not for the support of the friends and sponsors of the game of Cricket across the country.” Today, Friday (March 1st) has been declared a rest day for all the teams, while matches will resume on Saturday, March 2nd. The last matches will be played on Sunday, March 3rd at the TBS Cricket Oval. Rwanda and Sierra Leone will open the day on Saturday at 10:15 am before Nigeria takes on Tanzania later at 2:15 pm. General Manager of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Emeka Igwilo said the weekend games are expected to attract dignitaries across the sporting world including some friends and sponsors of the game. “We have had several interests asking to be part of the weekend games, and that is encouraging including sponsors and top dignitaries in the sporting world.
“The Female Yellow-Greens is one of the testaments to a well-curated sports development program and this event is an avenue to showcase the gains from such a project.” The 5th NCF Women’s t20i Invitational Tournament will be concluded on Sunday, March 3rd and the winner will be the team that has garnered the highest point from the stipulated six matches. Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Tanzania are participating in the event.
