Juma Miyagi needed two runs from the final ball to force a tie, but after completing one, he was run out attempting the second. Uganda finished on 147 for nine, handing Nigeria a dramatic one-run victory at the Nigeria Cricket Federation Oval 1 in Abuja on Sunday.
The result secured Nigeria the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier C title, completed a five-match unbeaten campaign and earned the team a place in next year’s final round of the qualifying series. It also ended Nigeria’s 13-match losing streak against Uganda in T20 internationals.
Nigeria’s defence of 148 proved far more demanding than their batting performance had suggested. After winning the toss and electing to bat, the hosts were dismissed for 148 in 19.4 overs, with Isaac Danladi leading the scoring with 47 off 28 balls, including three fours and four sixes.
Ali Rahmon added 35 from 23 deliveries, while Selim Salau contributed 30 off 24 balls. Uganda’s Joseph Baguma claimed four wickets for 21 runs, repeatedly disrupting Nigeria’s innings and leaving the hosts at 129 for six before the lower order supplied the runs needed to reach a competitive total.
Uganda’s chase gained momentum through Riazat Ali Shah, who struck 60 from 36 balls, hitting three fours and five sixes. He shared a 78-run partnership with Olipa Gerald, who scored 18, putting the visitors in a strong position.
Nigeria responded through their bowlers. Sylvester Okpe dismissed both Riazat and Gerald, while Isaac Okpe took two wickets, including that of Alpesh Ramjani, who made 20. Uganda fell from 108 for four to 117 for six, but Ramjani and Cyrus Kakuru helped revive the chase.
By the end of the 19th over, Uganda had reached 143 for seven and needed six runs from the final over. Vincent Adewoye conceded only four from the first five deliveries, while Kakuru was run out for 11. The match then hinged on the last ball, when Miyagi’s run-out left Uganda one run short of Nigeria’s total.
For Nigeria, the victory marked a breakthrough against an opponent that had beaten them in every previous T20 international meeting. It also confirmed their standing as the strongest side in the five-team campaign, with the Sub-Regional C title and qualification for the next stage secured.
The Abuja contest was decided by a single run, but its significance lies in what Nigeria achieved under pressure: overcoming a longstanding opponent, protecting a modest score and advancing to the next phase of the race for a place at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
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