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Home » Live Cricket Score » ICC Men's T20 World Cup Qualifier, 2019 » commentary

Canada vs Nigeria Live Commentary, Match 18, ICC Men's T20 World Cup Qualifier, 2019, October 21, 2019

CAN 159/7 (20)
Canada beat Nigeria by 50 runs
NIG 109/8 (20)
Match over
Canada Inning Nigeria Inning
0.0 : Hello and welcome everyone for Match 18 of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Qualifier in Abu Dhabi between Canada and Nigeria. Both teams have played one game each at the moment and the results were contrasting for them. On one hand, Canada registered a thumping win while on the other hand, Nigeria were thrashed. The Canadian team looks quite strong on paper and will be the favourites here while the Nigerian boys would have to play out of their skins to compete. Let's hope for a good battle between
Toss - Up goes the coin and it lands in favour of Canada. Canada have won the toss and have elected to bat.
Canada (Playing XI) - Rodrigo Thomas, Navneet Dhaliwal (C), Nitish Kumar, Nicholas Kirton, Ravinderpal Singh, Abraash Khan, Hamza Tariq (WK), Dillon Heyliger, Saad Bin Zafar, Nikhil Dutta, Jeremy Gordon.
Nigeria (Playing XI) - Daniel Ajekun, Leke Oyede, Sulaimon Runsewe, Chimezie Onwuzulike, Ademola Onikoyi (C/WK), Isaac Okpe, Sesan Adedeji, Daniel Gim, Sylvester Okpe, Chima Akachukwu, Abiodun Abioye.
We are all set to begin. The Nigerian players are out in the middle. Rodrigo Thomas and Navneet Dhaliwal will open the batting for Canada. Isaac Okpe will start the proceedings for Nigeria.
0.1 : I Okpe to R Thomas, FOUR! What a start to the match. Full delivery on middle, Thomas lofts it over mid off for a boundary.
0.2 : I Okpe to R Thomas, FOUR! Consecutive boundaries for Rodrigo Thomas. Full delivery on off, Thomas drives it beautifully through covers for a boundary.
0.3 : I Okpe to R Thomas, On a length on leg, Thomas flicks it towards short fine leg for a single.
0.4 : I Okpe to N Dhaliwal, Full on middle, Dhaliwal drives it towards mid on for a single.
0.5 : I Okpe to R Thomas, Full delivery on off, Thomas drives it towards mid off for a run.
0.6 : I Okpe to N Dhaliwal, On a length on middle, Dhaliwal flicks it to mid-wicket. 11 runs have come off the first over. Excellent start for Canada.
Chima Akachukwu to bowl from the other end.
1.1 : C Akachukwu to R Thomas, Full delivery on off, Thomas drives it towards point for a single.
1.2 : C Akachukwu to N Dhaliwal, On a good length on off, Dhaliwal keeps it out.
1.3 : C Akachukwu to N Dhaliwal, Length delivery on off, Dhaliwal plays it to the off side.
1.4 : C Akachukwu to N Dhaliwal, On a length on middle, Dhaliwal drives it to long on for a single.
1.5 : C Akachukwu to R Thomas, Length delivery on off, Thomas punches it towards point for a single.
1.6 : C Akachukwu to N Dhaliwal, Full delivery on off, Dhaliwal lofts it over covers. The batsmen get two runs.
2.1 : I Okpe to R Thomas, Full toss on off, Thomas drives it straight to covers.
2.2 : I Okpe to R Thomas, On a good length on middle, Thomas drives it to mid on.
2.3 : I Okpe to R Thomas, Full delivery on middle, Thomas lofts it over the bowler's head. The long off fielder does well to stop it. The batsmen cross ends.
2.4 : I Okpe to N Dhaliwal, FOUR! Nice shot. Full delivery on off, Dhaliwal flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary.
2.5 : I Okpe to N Dhaliwal, On a length on off, Dhaliwal plays it to point.
2.6 : I Okpe to N Dhaliwal, Full on off, Dhaliwal drives it to mid off.
3.1 : C Akachukwu to R Thomas, On a good length on off, Thomas plays it to covers.
3.2 : C Akachukwu to R Thomas, Full delivery on middle, Thomas comes down the track and looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It goes towards point. The batsmen cross ends.
3.3 : C Akachukwu to N Dhaliwal, EDGE AND FOUR! On a good length and outside off, Dhaliwal looks to play a lofted shot but gets an outside edge. It goes wide of the keeper towards third man for a boundary.
3.4 : C Akachukwu to N Dhaliwal, OUT! CAUGHT! Canada lose their first wicket. On a good length on off, Dhaliwal lofts it over covers but does not get the distance. It goes towards Onwuzulike who takes a comfortable catch.
Nitish Kumar is the new batsman in.
3.5 : C Akachukwu to N Kumar, RUN OUT CHANCE! SAFE! On a length on off, Kumar plays it towards point and goes for a single. The fielder throws the ball at the bowler's end and the bowler fails to collect the ball. The batsmen cross ends.
3.6 : C Akachukwu to R Thomas, Full delivery on off, Thomas drives it to long off for a run.
4.1 : D Gim to R Thomas, On a length on middle, Thomas nudges it through square leg. The batsmen pick up a couple.
4.2 : D Gim to R Thomas, DROPPED! On a length on middle, Thomas flicks it towards square leg where the fielder goes for the catch but spills it. He tried to take it twice but drops it in the third attempt and fails to hold on. The batsmen cross ends.
4.3 : D Gim to N Kumar, Play and a miss! On a good length and outside off, Kumar looks to drive but misses it.
4.4 : D Gim to N Kumar, FOUR! Nice shot. Full delivery on off, Kumar drives it through covers for a boundary.
4.5 : D Gim to N Kumar, Driven through mid on by the batsman. They manage to come back for the second.
4.6 : D Gim to N Kumar, FOUR! Second boundary of the over. On a length on middle, Kumar flicks it through square leg for a boundary.
5.1 : C Akachukwu to R Thomas, OUT! BOWLED! Full delivery on middle, Thomas looks to drive but misses it and gets bowled. It was a straight delivery and he missed it completely.
5.2 : C Akachukwu to N Kirton, Full delivery on off, Kirton drives it to long off for a run.
5.3 : C Akachukwu to N Kumar, Full again on middle, Kumar drives it to long on for a run.
5.4 : C Akachukwu to N Kirton, Length delivery on middle, Kirton flicks it to mid-wicket.
5.5 : C Akachukwu to N Kirton, On a length on leg, Kirton looks to flick but misses it and gets hit on the pads.
5.6 : C Akachukwu to N Kirton, Full delivery on off, Kirton drives it towards mid off for a single.
6.1 : D Gim to N Kirton, Full delivery on off, Kirton drives it towards mid off.
6.2 : D Gim to N Kirton, Full delivery on off, Kirton drives it towards long off for a run.
6.3 : D Gim to N Kumar, On a length on middle, Kumar drives it through mid on. The batsmen get two runs.
6.4 : D Gim to N Kumar, Full delivery outside off, Kumar drives it through covers. The fielder in the deep fumbles. The batsmen get three runs.
6.5 : D Gim to N Kirton, BEATEN! On a good length and outside off, Kirton looks to defend but misses it due to the away movement.
6.6 : D Gim to N Kirton, Length delivery on middle, Kirton flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen get two runs.
Abiodun Abioye is into the attack.
7.1 : A Abioye to N Kumar, Full delivery on middle, Kumar drives it through mid on. The batsmen get two runs.
7.2 : A Abioye to N Kumar, Full delivery on middle, Kumar drives it towards mid on for a single.
7.3 : A Abioye to N Kirton, Full again on off, Kirton drives it to mid off.
7.4 : A Abioye to N Kirton, FOUR! On a good length and outside off, Kirton looks to drive but gets an outside edge. It goes towards third man for a boundary.
7.5 : A Abioye to N Kirton, OUT! EDGE AND GONE! On a good length and outside off, Kirton looks to guide but gets an outside edge. It goes towards Ademola Onikoyi who takes a comfortable catch. Canada lose their third wicket.
7.6 : A Abioye to A Khan, Bowls it outside off, Abraash shoulders arms to this one.
Daniel Ajekun is into the attack.
8.1 : D Ajekun to N Kumar, Flatter and on middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.
8.2 : D Ajekun to A Khan, One more off spinner on middle, it is worked down towards long on for one.
8.3 : D Ajekun to N Kumar, A low full toss on off, it is driven through covers for one.
8.4 : D Ajekun to A Khan, Fast and full on middle, it is driven back to the bowler.
8.5 : D Ajekun to A Khan, Shorter and around off, this is cut straight to the man at point.
8.6 : D Ajekun to A Khan, One more dot! Outside off, left alone. A good start by Ajekun.
9.1 : A Abioye to N Kumar, FOUR! Nicely placed! A low full toss outside off, Kumar just opens the face of the bat and guides it past point for a boundary. Good start to the over for Canada.
9.2 : A Abioye to N Kumar, Fuller and on off, this is eased down to long off for one.
9.3 : A Abioye to A Khan, FOUR! Educational edge! This is on a length and around off, Khan opens the face of the bat, the ball though goes off the outside edge, very fine and a boundary in the third man region.
9.4 : A Abioye to A Khan, A couple! Slower one on middle, AK works it with soft hands towards mid-wicket and takes two.
9.5 : A Abioye to A Khan, The batsman drives this through the covers. One run added to the total.
9.6 : A Abioye to N Kumar, A single to end a good over for Canada! Fuller and on off, this is hit down to long off for one.
10.1 : D Ajekun to N Kumar, Flatter and outside off, this is guided towards point for one.
10.2 : D Ajekun to A Khan, A run out chance goes abegging! The keeper has probably dislodged the bails off with his hands. Big opportunity goes abegging. This is worked towards deep mid-wicket. The batters take one and go for a second which is not on. The fielder fires it to the keeper who fails to collect it cleanly and in the end, whips the bails off with his hand. The batsman was nowhere in the picture. Big chance that.
10.3 : D Ajekun to A Khan, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. The batsmen have run through for a single.
10.4 : D Ajekun to N Kumar, On middle, kept out.
10.5 : D Ajekun to N Kumar, A single as this is worked through mid-wicket.
10.6 : D Ajekun to A Khan, Khan plays a paddle scoop towards short fine leg for one.
Sylvester Okpe is into the attack.
11.1 : S Okpe to A Khan, Flighted delivery on off, Khan defends it off the back foot.
11.2 : S Okpe to A Khan, Tossed up delivery on off, Khan comes down the track and hits it over mid off for a single.
11.3 : S Okpe to N Kumar, BEATEN! Flighted delivery just outside off, Kumar looks to cut but misses it.
11.4 : S Okpe to N Kumar, FOUR! Nice shot. Floated delivery on off, Kumar lofts it over covers for a boundary.
11.5 : S Okpe to N Kumar, Tossed up on off, Kumar guides it towards third man for a run.
11.6 : S Okpe to A Khan, Flighted delivery on middle, Khan drives it towards mid on for a run.
12.1 : D Gim to A Khan, On a good length on off, Abraash blocks it off the back foot.
12.2 : D Gim to A Khan, Length delivery on middle, Khan flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen get two runs.
12.3 : D Gim to A Khan, BEATEN! On a good length and outside off, Khan looks to cut but misses it.
12.4 : D Gim to A Khan, Length delivery on off, Abraash plays it to point.
12.5 : D Gim to A Khan, OUT! CAUGHT! On a good length on off, Abraash lofts it over mid off but does not get the distance on it. It goes towards Onwuzulike who takes the simplest of catches at long off. Canada lose their fourth wicket.
Ravinderpal Singh is the new batsman in.
12.6 : D Gim to N Kumar, Full delivery on off, Kumar drives it through covers for a single.
13.1 : S Okpe to N Kumar, Slower through the air outside off, this is guided towards point.
13.2 : S Okpe to N Kumar, Kumar eases it down to long on for one.
13.3 : S Okpe to R Singh, Flatter and on off, the batter goes back and keeps it out.
13.4 : S Okpe to R Singh, Outside off, Singh guides it towards short third man.
13.5 : S Okpe to R Singh, Outside off, the batsman whips it through mid-wicket and a single is taken.
13.6 : S Okpe to N Kumar, Played to the point region by the batsman.
Daniel Ajekun is back into the attack.
14.1 : D Ajekun to R Singh, Tossed up delivery on middle, Singh flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.
14.2 : D Ajekun to N Kumar, Flighted delivery on off, Kumar blocks it off the back foot.
14.3 : D Ajekun to N Kumar, DROPPED! That was a sitter. Flighted delivery on off, Kumar looks to go over covers but gets a top edge. It goes towards point where the fielder makes a mess of it. This is horrible fielding from Nigeria. The batsmen get two runs in the process.
14.4 : D Ajekun to N Kumar, Tossed up delivery on middle, Kumar flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.
14.5 : D Ajekun to R Singh, The batsman works it down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single.
14.6 : D Ajekun to N Kumar, Flighted delivery on off, Kumar drives it through mid off. The batsmen get two runs.
15.1 : S Okpe to R Singh, OUT! CAUGHT! Tossed up on off, Singh looks to go for a big shot over covers but gets a top edge. It goes towards Sylvester Okpe who goes towards covers and takes a good catch.
0.0 : Saad Bin Zafar is the new man in.
15.2 : S Okpe to N Kumar, Flighted delivery on middle, Kumar drives it to long on for a single.
15.3 : S Okpe to Bin Zafar, FOUR! Nice shot. Full delivery on off, Bin Zafar drives it through covers for a boundary.
15.4 : S Okpe to Bin Zafar, FOUR! Consecutive boundaries for Bin Zafar. Short delivery on middle, Bin Zafar pulls it over square leg for a boundary.
15.5 : S Okpe to Bin Zafar, Tossed up delivery on off, Bin Zafar keeps it out.
15.6 : S Okpe to Bin Zafar, Full delivery on off, Bin Zafar drives it towards covers for a single.
16.1 : D Ajekun to Bin Zafar, A low full toss on off, Zafar strokes it wide of long off for two.
16.2 : D Ajekun to Bin Zafar, OUT! Another one bites the dust! LBW! This starts on off and then it drifts back in. It is fuller in length. Bin Zafar looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. An appeal and up goes the finger. Canada losing their way here. 150 looks farfetched now.
Hamza Tariq is the next batsman in.
16.3 : D Ajekun to H Tariq, Overthrow! A low full toss on off, this is drive through covers. The batters take one and then the striker wants the second. He is sent back. The fielder in the deep fires the throw to the keeper who fails to stop it cleanly and another run is taken.
16.4 : D Ajekun to H Tariq, This is flatter and on middle, it is worked through square leg for another two.
16.5 : D Ajekun to H Tariq, Very full and outside off, Tariq guides it towards point where the fielder dives and makes a good stop. Can't stop the single though.
16.6 : D Ajekun to N Kumar, A dot to end another good over. Very full and on off, this is driven to covers.
Chima Akachukwu is back into the attack.
17.1 : C Akachukwu to H Tariq, Full delivery on middle, Tariq drives it to long on for a single.
17.2 : C Akachukwu to N Kumar, SIX! Amazing shot. Full toss on middle, Kumar lofts it over long on for a maximum. It goes through the hands of the long on fielder.
17.3 : C Akachukwu to N Kumar, FOUR! 50 for Nitish Kumar. Full delivery on middle, Kumar lofts it over the bowler's head for a boundary.
17.4 : C Akachukwu to N Kumar, On a length on off, Kumar plays it towards covers for a single.
17.5 : C Akachukwu to H Tariq, SIX! Excellent shot. Full delivery on middle, Tariq lofts it over long on for a biggie.
17.6 : C Akachukwu to H Tariq, On a good length on middle, Tariq looks to flick but gets an inside edge. It goes towards the leg side for a run. 19 runs have come from the over. Big one for Canada.
18.1 : I Okpe to H Tariq, SIX! That has made a cracking sound off the bat and it has gone a long way. This is right in the zone. Full and on middle, Tariq whips it over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum. Pressure on the bowler now, a biggie to begin the over.
18.2 : I Okpe to H Tariq, Good running! A slower one on off, Tariq waits for it and guides it through covers. Some excellent running sees them take two.
18.3 : I Okpe to H Tariq, Full and wide outside off, Tariq carves it over point for another two.
18.4 : I Okpe to H Tariq, A slower one which is extremely full and on off, Tariq hits it to the cover fielder. A dot, rare one.
18.5 : I Okpe to H Tariq, SIX! That is a flat one! 35 runs from the last 11 balls. This is carnage. Shorter and outside off, Tariq slaps it hard and it goes over the cover fence.
18.6 : I Okpe to H Tariq, A single to end as Tariq drops it towards the off side and gets to the other end.
19.1 : A Abioye to H Tariq, Fuller and outside off, this is hit hard down towards long off. Two is the call but they need to settle for one.
19.2 : A Abioye to N Kumar, In the air... it falls safe! A slower one outside off, Kumar swings but is early in the shot. It goes high up in the air but lands safe in the mid on region. Two taken.
19.3 : A Abioye to N Kumar, Very full and on middle, this is hit down to long on for one.
19.4 : A Abioye to H Tariq, A very good slower one there! It is outside off, Tariq swings but misses.
19.5 : A Abioye to H Tariq, Another couple! This is hit down powerfully towards long on and the batters take two as the fielder there has fumbled.
19.6 : A Abioye to H Tariq, OUT! Taken, no it has been put down, no it is taken in the end! A wicket to end a very good last over. A slower one outside off, Tariq swings hard but does not get it right off the middle. It goes high up in the air towards long off where the fielder looks to take it but the ball pops out. It then hits his face and then lobs nicely. He takes it on the second attempt. CANADA END WITH 159/7!
Some lusty blows in the last few overs have seen Canada post a total which one feels is just above par. However, they could have scored a little more after their top order got them off to a decent start. However, they did lose their way in the middle, an excellent cameo by Tariq and a stable knock from Kumar have given them the score which they would have wanted after electing to bowl.
The Nigerian bowling wasn't that great. Except for Abiodun Abioye and Daniel Ajekun, the rest were very inconsistent with their lines and lengths. Their fielding also did not help as there were too many misfields and dropped catches. Overall, they need to improve a lot in this aspect of the game.
Nitish Kumar is down for a quick interview. Thinks his approach was what got him going after a not so good start. Feels that they have gotten to the target they wanted to achieve and he is confident that they can defend this. Further adds that he does not feel dew is a big factor tonight and they should look to stick to their basics. Ends by saying that they want to be known as a positive and aggressive team and he thinks that they are going in the right direction.
Now then, the target is a challenging one and Nigeria will have to bat really well if they are to chase this down. Canada are probably favorites to defend it and anything other than that will be a surprise. Do join us in a short while for the second innings.
0.0 : We're back for the run chase. The Canadian team is in a huddle near the rope. Daniel Ajekun and Leke Oyede are the openers for Nigeria. Start in the Powerplay holds the key. Jeremy Gordon to steam in first up. Watch out for his pace...
0.1 : J Gordon to D Ajekun, Movement on the first delivery of the innings and that one is bowled at 87.1 mph. Length ball angling in, pitching outside off, it straightens and beats the outside edge of the batsman.
0.2 : J Gordon to D Ajekun, Now bowls a full toss on off, Ajekun drives this one through the covers for a couple.
0.3 : J Gordon to D Ajekun, Yorker outside the leg pole line, Ajekun looks to dig it out but misses to get hit on the back pad. The bowler appeals but nothing from the umpire. The non-striker is halfway down the track but is sent back by his partner. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses.
0.4 : J Gordon to D Ajekun, Length ball outside off, Ajekun looks to cut but misses.
0.5 : J Gordon to D Ajekun, Beautiful bowling! No feet movement by Ajekun. He tries to defend it off the back foot but the ball goes off the outside edge towards first slip. It falls just short of the man there and he survives.
0.6 : J Gordon to D Ajekun, Length ball outside off, Ajekun looks to put bat on ball but the ball whizzes past the outside edge.
Dillon Heyliger to bowl from the other end.
1.1 : D Heyliger to L Oyede, OUT! CAUGHT! Breakthrough for Canada! Golden duck for Oyede! Short of a length ball on off, Oyede looks to pull this one over the leg side but it goes off the top edge uppishly towards third man. The fielder there, Rodrigo Thomas, takes a good catch after getting forward a bit. Nigeria lose their first wicket early on and not the start they would have wanted.
Sulaimon Runsewe walks in next at number 3.
1.2 : D Heyliger to D Ajekun, Full ball on off, pushed towards mid off.
1.3 : D Heyliger to D Ajekun, OUT! CAUGHT! Both the openers for Nigeria depart and Canada are on a roll! Good length ball outside off, Ajekun looks to smash this one over mid off but the bat turns in his hands due to the extra pace on the ball. He miscues it completely and the ball lobs towards extra cover. Ravinderpal Singh runs across to his left from mid off and takes a good catch. Nigeria in deep trouble early on.
Chimezie Onwuzulike is the new batsman.
1.4 : D Heyliger to S Runsewe, Pitches it up and outside off, getting it to move away a shade, Runsewe watches the line and leaves it alone.
1.5 : D Heyliger to S Runsewe, Play and a miss! Called a WIDE! Plenty of width outside off, short and outside the tramline, Sulaimon throws his bat at it but fails to make any contact.
D Heyliger to S Runsewe, Beaten all ends up! Heyliger gets his line right immediately. He angles in a good length ball close to off, it nips away a bit, Runsewe pushes at it and misses.
1.6 : D Heyliger to S Runsewe, Bat on ball this time. Short and outside off, Runsewe slaps it through the gap between point and backward point for three runs. Top over by Dillon, two wickets and four runs coming off it!
2.1 : J Gordon to S Runsewe, Shorter and outside off, Runsewe looks to cut but misses.
2.2 : J Gordon to S Runsewe, That is a beauty! It is angled into the batter, Runsewe looks to defend but the ball pitches and moves away. Beats the outside edge.
2.3 : J Gordon to S Runsewe, On the fuller side outside off, this is driven square on the off side but straight to the fielder.
2.4 : J Gordon to S Runsewe, Wayward there! Very short and down the leg side, Runsewe looks to pull but misses.
J Gordon to S Runsewe, On the fuller side around off, Runsewe looks to drive it through the off side but it goes off the inner half through mid-wicket for one.
2.5 : J Gordon to S Runsewe, Outside off, Runsewe opens the face of the bat and guides it down to third man for one.
2.6 : J Gordon to C Onwuzulike, A full toss on off, too quick for the batter. Onwuzulike mistimes it towards mid off for one.
3.1 : D Heyliger to C Onwuzulike, Full ball on off, pushed to the man at cover.
3.2 : D Heyliger to C Onwuzulike, Short of a length ball on middle and leg, Onwuzulike tries to pull it but the ball goes off the inner half towards mid-wicket.
3.3 : D Heyliger to C Onwuzulike, Ouch! That has hit the batter on the grille and then onto the shoulder. Short ball down the leg side, Onwuzulike looks to pull but misses. The ball goes onto hit the batsman on the grille of his helmet and then rolls onto the shoulder. A slight halt in play.
The physio is out, the concussion test is going on. Also, there will be a change of helmets. Everything done and now the game is all set to continue.
3.4 : D Heyliger to C Onwuzulike, Short aggresive bowling by Heylinger, Onwuzulike looks to pull but is hit on the forearm.
3.5 : D Heyliger to C Onwuzulike, On middle and off, Onwuzulike shuffles across and cheekily plays this one over fine leg. The ball goes in the deep but the fielder runs back and mops it up. 2 runs taken.
3.6 : D Heyliger to C Onwuzulike, Onwuzulike looks to heave this good length ball over the leg side but the ball goes off his inside edge onto the pads. It rolls towards cover.
Saad Bin Zafar is on now!
4.1 : Bin Zafar to S Runsewe, On the pads, tucked towards square leg.
4.2 : Bin Zafar to S Runsewe, Runsewe punches this one off the back foot towards the off side.
4.3 : Bin Zafar to S Runsewe, Runsewe pushes this one towards the cover-point region and takes a quick single.
4.4 : Bin Zafar to C Onwuzulike, Wide! Down the leg side, Onwuzulike looks to paddle but misses. Wide signalled.
Bin Zafar to C Onwuzulike, FOUR! Short and wide outside off, Onwuzulike rocks back and cuts this one through cover-point for a boundary. First boundary of the innings this.
4.5 : Bin Zafar to C Onwuzulike, Floated on middle and leg, Onwuzulike looks to paddle down the leg side but misses it. The ball goes down the leg side. Onwuzulike hits the ball on the followthrough of his bat and it goes towards third man. The bowler is appealing for an LBW during all this but nothing from the umpire. The batters take a quick single.
4.6 : Bin Zafar to S Runsewe, Driven through mid-on by the batsman. They pick up a single.
Nikhil Dutta is into the attack.
5.1 : N Dutta to S Runsewe, Slower through the air outside off, the batter looks to drag it on the leg side. Misses.
5.2 : N Dutta to S Runsewe, Cracked but for one! A full toss on middle, it is swept towards deep mid-wicket for one.
5.3 : N Dutta to C Onwuzulike, On off, it is worked around the corner for one.
5.4 : N Dutta to S Runsewe, FOUR! Too short and too wide and it is put away. Width on offer. Runsewe cuts it past point for a boundary.
5.5 : N Dutta to S Runsewe, This is tossed up outside off, Runsewe drags it down to long on for one.
5.6 : N Dutta to C Onwuzulike, A beauty to end! This lands on off and straightens. Onwuzulike looks to go straight down the ground but misses. The keeper whips the bails off and appeals but the umpire shakes his head. End of the Powerplay. Canada are 28 for 2 and need another 132 in 84.
Nitish Kumar to bowl his offies now.
6.1 : N Kumar to S Runsewe, Short of a length ball, Runsewe pulls this one towards mid-wicket for a run.
6.2 : N Kumar to C Onwuzulike, FOUR! Floated on the pads, Onwuzulike pre-meditates this one and sweeps it through the gap at fine leg for a boundary.
6.3 : N Kumar to C Onwuzulike, Full and floated on off, Onwuzulike reverse sweeps this time. It goes towards third man for a single.
6.4 : N Kumar to S Runsewe, Short of a length delivery on off, Runsewe this time reverse sweeps. He finds the gap at gully and the ball is nicely fielded in the deep. The batters take two.
6.5 : N Kumar to C Onwuzulike, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
6.6 : N Kumar to C Onwuzulike, Floated on the pads, Onwuzulike awkwardly tucks this one towards square leg and takes a single.
A half in play as Runsewe has rushed off the ground. The next batter did make his way out but the umpire has asked him to go back. It might just be a bathroom break. He is back now and the game will now continue.
7.1 : N Dutta to C Onwuzulike, FOUR! Oh dear, bad bad fielding! This is short and wide outside off, Onwuzulike cuts this one off the back foot towards cover-point. The fielder in the deep runs past the ball and the ball goes into the fence.
7.2 : N Dutta to C Onwuzulike, Short and wide outside off, this time the fielder in the deep manages to collect it properly and the batters take two.
7.3 : N Dutta to C Onwuzulike, Tossed up on off, Onwuzulike looks to defend but is beaten as the ball goes past his outside edge.
7.4 : N Dutta to C Onwuzulike, Floated on middle and off, Onwuzulike pushes this one towards mid on for one.
7.5 : N Dutta to S Runsewe, Runsewe looks to play the sweep shot but misses it altogether.
7.6 : N Dutta to S Runsewe, Short and wide outside off, Runsewe cuts it towards point with power. The fielder in the deep does well to save it from going over the fence and the batters take two.
8.1 : N Kumar to C Onwuzulike, On middle, this is paddle swept fine towards short fine leg for one.
8.2 : N Kumar to S Runsewe, This is worked with the turn through square leg for one.
8.3 : N Kumar to C Onwuzulike, Out comes the slog sweep, it though goes off the inner half towards deep mid-wicket for one.
8.4 : N Kumar to S Runsewe, Shortish and outside off, it is cut through point for one.
8.5 : N Kumar to C Onwuzulike, Looks to play the reverse sweep but it hits the arm and goes towards the short third man fielder for one. The 50-run stand is up. They have steadied the ship after the two early wickets. Need to keep going.
8.6 : N Kumar to S Runsewe, Shorter and outside off, Runsewe looks to cut but misses.
9.1 : Bin Zafar to C Onwuzulike, Floated on off, carves this one towards point for a single.
9.2 : Bin Zafar to S Runsewe, Runsewe looks to cut through the line. He tries to smash it but the ball goes off the outside half through the gap at gully for a couple.
9.3 : Bin Zafar to S Runsewe, Floated on off, Runsewe this time pushes it through the cover region for a couple.
9.4 : Bin Zafar to S Runsewe, Runsewe dances down the track and pushes it towards mid off for a single.
9.5 : Bin Zafar to C Onwuzulike, On the pads, Onwuzulike sweeps this one towards fine leg for one.
9.6 : Bin Zafar to S Runsewe, OUT! CAUGHT! Navneet Dhaliwal takes the catch! Zafar floats this one outside off, Runsewe looks to go over the cover region but ends up slicing it towards Navneet Dhaliwal at point who takes a simple catch to his right. The 57-run stand is broken and Nigeria will have to rebuild now. 101 needed off 60 balls.
Ademola Onikoyi is the new man in.
10.1 : N Dhaliwal to C Onwuzulike, DROPPED! That should have been taken. This is full and on off, it is hit hard down towards long off. The fielder there runs in, slides forward and looks to take it but spills it. Two taken.
10.2 : N Dhaliwal to C Onwuzulike, SIX! All the way! Out comes the slog sweep. It has been played really well. It clears the backward square leg fence.
10.3 : N Dhaliwal to C Onwuzulike, Outside off, this is creamed through covers for one more two.
10.4 : N Dhaliwal to C Onwuzulike, On the pads, it is worked through mid-wicket for one.
10.5 : N Dhaliwal to A Onikoyi, Shorter and outside off, the batter looks to cut but misses.
10.6 : N Dhaliwal to A Onikoyi, This is angled into the middle pole, it is played to the right of the bowler. The striker wants a run but is sent back.
11.1 : Bin Zafar to C Onwuzulike, OUT! RUN OUT! There was no run there and the skipper has to depart. Floated outside off by Zafar, Onwuzulike pushes this one towards cover-point and looks to take a quick single. However, there is no run there and Nitish Kumar quickly gets to the ball. He picks it up and quickly throws it to the keeper who wjips the bails off in a flash.
11.2 : Bin Zafar to I Okpe, Floated outside off, pushed towards cover for one. Off the mark.
11.3 : Bin Zafar to C Onwuzulike, Down the leg side, Onwuzulike looks to flick but misses. It hits the keepers pad and rolls towards fine leg as the batters take an extra run off the wide.
Bin Zafar to I Okpe, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. One run added to the total.
11.4 : Bin Zafar to C Onwuzulike, Short and wide outside off, Onwuzulike cuts this one towards point for a single.
11.5 : Bin Zafar to I Okpe, Okpe cuts this one towards point for nothing.
11.6 : Bin Zafar to I Okpe, Okpe pushes this one towards the cover region for a single.
12.1 : N Dhaliwal to I Okpe, This is angled into the batter, it is worked through mid-wicket for one.
12.2 : N Dhaliwal to C Onwuzulike, OUT! Kaboom! Half the side back in the hut for Nigeria. A yorker on the leg pole. Onwuzulike swings but misses. The leg stump is hit. A good knock by him comes to an end but he needed to stay out there for longer.
Sesan Adedeji is the new man in.
12.3 : N Dhaliwal to S Adedeji, On middle, this is worked with the angle through mid-wicket for one.
12.4 : N Dhaliwal to I Okpe, On middle, it is kept out.
12.5 : N Dhaliwal to I Okpe, A yorker outside off, this is jammed out towards cover for one.
12.6 : N Dhaliwal to S Adedeji, Hesitation but safe! Shorter and outside off, the batter looks to cut but ends up chopping it towards short third man. They take off but then stop, then go for it and in the end complete the run.
13.1 : Bin Zafar to S Adedeji, Floats this one outside off, Adedeji pushes this one towards cover for a single.
13.2 : Bin Zafar to I Okpe, Darted just outside off, Okpe looks to cut but misses.
13.3 : Bin Zafar to I Okpe, OUT! TIMBER! Nigeria lose their sixth wicket! Zafar floats this one on the leg pole line, Okpe looks to heave this one over mid-wicket but misses the ball altogether. The ball crashes into the leg pole and Okpe has to depart. Canada on the brink of victory now.
Daniel Gim is the new man in.
13.4 : Bin Zafar to D Gim, Gim pushes this one towards mid on and takes a couple.
13.5 : Bin Zafar to D Gim, Floated outside off, pushed towards cover for a run.
13.6 : Bin Zafar to S Adedeji, Floated outside off, cut to the man at point.
Nikhil Dutta is back!
14.1 : N Dutta to D Gim, Very short and outside off, this is pulled towards deep mid-wicket for one.
14.2 : N Dutta to S Adedeji, OUT! Drags it on! It seems like a wicket is falling every over now. 7 down are Nigeria now. This is shorter and just outside off. Adedeji looks to cut but that shot is not on. He gets an inside edge onto the stumps.
Sylvester Okpe walks out to bat. Delaying the inevitable now.
14.3 : N Dutta to S Okpe, In the air... safe! Full and outside off, the batter looks to hit it hard through the off side but ends up slicing it over point for one.
14.4 : N Dutta to D Gim, Shorter and outside off, this is pushed through covers for another run by Gim.
14.5 : N Dutta to S Okpe, Eased down to long off for a single.
14.6 : N Dutta to D Gim, Flatter and on middle, this is pushed back to the bowler.
Dillon Heyliger is back into the attack. 2-0-6-2 so far from him.
15.1 : D Heyliger to S Okpe, Darts one onto the legs of the batter, he tries to flick but misses. The ball goes off his pads towards third man and the batters take a leg bye.
15.2 : D Heyliger to D Gim, Gim flicks the ball of his pads towards mid-wicket for one.
15.3 : D Heyliger to S Okpe, Wide! Down the leg side, the batter looks to flick but misses. Wided.
D Heyliger to S Okpe, Length ball outside off, Okpe looks to cut but is beaten.
15.4 : D Heyliger to S Okpe, FOUR! This time gets it right! Short and wide outside off, Okpe cuts this one towards the point region for a boundary. Seems like it has been ages since the last boundary. The last one came in the 11th over.
15.5 : D Heyliger to S Okpe, Length ball on middle and leg, defended.
15.6 : D Heyliger to S Okpe, On the hips of Sylvester Okpe, he flicks it towards fine leg for a couple.
Gordon is back on!
16.1 : J Gordon to D Gim, Shorter and on the body, the batter looks to pull but misses to get hit on the body.
16.2 : J Gordon to D Gim, Shorter and on the body, the batter looks to pull but misses to get hit on the body.
J Gordon to D Gim, Full and on the pads, Gim looks to flick but misses. It hits the pads and rolls on the leg side. A leg bye taken.
16.3 : J Gordon to S Okpe, Shorter in length and outside off, the batsman looks to cut but misses.
16.4 : J Gordon to S Okpe, A yorker but outside the leg pole. The batter makes room and swings but misses.
16.5 : J Gordon to S Okpe, Shorter and on off, Okpe pushes it to covers. The non-striker wants a run but is sent back.
16.6 : J Gordon to S Okpe, Shortish again on off, this is cut through point for one. 100 up for Nigeria.
Bowling change.
Bowling change.
Nikhil Dutta is back on.
17.1 : N Dutta to S Okpe, Sylvester defends this one off the front foot back towards the bowler.
17.2 : N Dutta to S Okpe, On the pads, Okpe flicks this one towards square leg for one.
17.3 : N Dutta to D Gim, Short of a length ball on middle and leg, blocked out.
17.4 : N Dutta to D Gim, Gim gets onto the back foot and pushes this one towards covers for a single.
17.5 : N Dutta to S Okpe, Another one which is pushed towards cover for a single.
17.6 : N Dutta to D Gim, Gim pushes this one towards cover. No run taken.
18.1 : J Gordon to S Okpe, This is angled into the batter, Okpe looks to defend but it goes off the inner half through square leg for one.
18.2 : J Gordon to D Gim, Down the leg side, it has been wided.
J Gordon to D Gim, A yorker on middle, Gim jams it out.
18.3 : J Gordon to D Gim, Length delivery, Gim pushes it towards cover for one.
18.4 : J Gordon to S Okpe, Shorter and around off, the batter guides it to point.
18.5 : J Gordon to S Okpe, The short of length delivery has been cut away through square on the off side but straight to point.
18.6 : J Gordon to S Okpe, The bowler is down on his followthrough, he though is fine. On the pads, the batter looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. It rolls on the leg side. A leg bye is taken.
19.1 : D Heyliger to S Okpe, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Length ball just outside off by Heyliger, Sylvester Okpe rocks back and looks to cut it but the ball goes off the edge straight to the keeper who gets down and takes a good low catch. The partnership which seemingly was going on for an eternity is broken. Heyliger just enhancing his bowling stats now.
Chima Akachukwu is the new man in.
19.2 : D Heyliger to C Akachukwu, Akachukwu flicks this one off his pads towards mid-wicket. The batters want a single which is not there but they go for it. The fielder picks up the ball and has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Had he hit, Akachukwu was a goner.
19.3 : D Heyliger to D Gim, Heavy delivery. Short ball on the off pole line, Gim does well to evade that one.
19.4 : D Heyliger to D Gim, On a length and around off, Gim moves back and pushes it with gentle hands to cover-point for a run.
19.5 : D Heyliger to C Akachukwu, Good length ball on off, it angles back in a long way. Akachukwu misses his flick and is hit on the pad. The bowler appeals but nothing from the umpire. Seems to be going down leg.
19.6 : D Heyliger to C Akachukwu, Length delivery on off, Akachukwu looks to play at it but is completely beaten. That will be it and CANADA WIN BY 50 RUNS!
Yet another listless batting performance by Nigeria sees them going down by a big margin. Once again their batsmen got exposed and they didn't show enough spine to put up a fight. After suffering a couple of early blows, Chimezie Onwuzulike and Sulaimon Runsewe tried to revive the chase with a 57-run stand but the innings fell flat on its face after that. It was a Nigerian procession as one by one the batsmen were sent back to the pavilion with their tails between their legs. The only solace was
Canada will be pleased with their overall effort in the field. Their batting did a reasonable job to put up a challenging total and then their bowlers were too good for Nigeria. Dillon Heyliger and Jeremy Gordon bowled with a lot of pace and fire while the spinners also did an effective job. With back-to-back wins, Canada take their tally to 4 points and remain as the only unbeaten team in Group B.
Man of the Match, Nitish Kumar opines that the pitch was a bit slow and low and since the boundaries were big, they had to run a lot and do the basics right. Adds that he looked to bat through the innings and mentions that the top order is hungry for more runs.
Nigeria skipper, Ademola Onikoyi, says that after the last game they had a long net session. Tells that they tried to sort out their issues. Mentions that it was a good experience for them to play a day-night match. Wants his team to remain positive and enjoy their game against Oman.
Canada skipper, Navneet Dhaliwal, says that it was a very good bowling performance. Feels that there is still room for improvement in their batting, especially in the Powerplay. States that they got out on bad balls. Wants his team to keep wickets in hand so that they can try even bigger finish. On facing Ireland next, Dhaliwal replies that if they bat well against them, they have a good chance of winning the match.
So that is it from this game! We will now look forward to your company for the other games of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Qualifier. Till then, take care and goodbye!