All out for seven – Ivory Coast set men’s T20I record
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Ivory Coast’s cricket team has set a dismal record in men’s T20 international cricket, posting the lowest-ever total in the format after being bowled out for just seven runs against Nigeria in Lagos on Sunday. This humiliating defeat saw them lose by a staggering 264 runs, with the Nigerian team having earlier set a formidable target of 271.
Nigeria’s top-order batsman Selim Salau was the standout performer, scoring an impressive 112 runs off 53 balls, leading his team to a dominant total. His brilliant innings helped Nigeria set a target that was far beyond reach for the Ivory Coast, which quickly crumbled under pressure.
The Ivorian batsmen offered little resistance, with six players failing to get off the mark, all being dismissed for ducks. The team’s highest scorer was opener Ouattara Mohamed, who managed just four runs. Mimi Alex, Maiga Ibrahim, and Dje Claude each contributed a solitary run to the total, but it was clear that the batting performance was woefully inadequate. The team’s seven-run total broke the previous record for the lowest total in men’s T20 internationals, which was 10 runs, set by Mongolia earlier this year, and the Isle of Man in 2023.
This marks the first time in men’s T20I history that a team has posted a single-digit score. Moreover, Nigeria’s resounding victory with a 264-run margin is the third-largest winning margin in T20I history, further highlighting the gulf in quality between the two sides.
For Ivory Coast, this latest defeat compounds a series of poor performances in their World Cup qualifying group. In their opening fixture, they were bowled out for just 21 runs by Sierra Leone, losing by 168 runs. These back-to-back defeats have put their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup in serious jeopardy.
The record set by Ivory Coast is the latest in a series of low totals in international T20 cricket. The lowest-ever total in women’s T20Is is shared by the Maldives and Mali, both of whom were dismissed for just six runs in 2019. However, Ivory Coast’s seven runs are now etched into history as the lowest-ever total in men’s T20I cricket.
The loss also highlights the challenges facing Ivory Coast’s cricket team, especially in the competitive arena of World Cup qualification. Their batting collapse on Sunday raises serious questions about their ability to compete at the international level. With only two games in the World Cup qualifying group, the team will need to make significant improvements to stay in the race.
Despite this setback, the match also served as a testament to Nigeria’s dominance. Their win over Ivory Coast demonstrates the growing strength of their cricket team, with Salau’s century being a standout moment. It will likely serve as a morale booster for the Nigerian team as they look to build on this success in the next stages of the qualification process.
In summary, Ivory Coast’s abysmal performance in Lagos has set a new record for the lowest-ever total in men’s T20I cricket, adding to the team’s woes after their heavy defeat in their first World Cup qualifier. With six players being dismissed for ducks and only seven runs on the board, the defeat was an embarrassing one. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s commanding performance and large victory margin reaffirm their strength in the competition, with Selim Salau’s match-winning century being the highlight of the day.
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