Coast Records Lowest Men's T20I Total in Crushing Loss to Nigeria

Ivory Coast set an unwelcome record for the lowest total in men’s T20I cricket, being bowled out for just 7 runs in a 264-run defeat to Nigeria during an ICC Men's T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Africa Qualifier Group C match in Lagos. 

Nigeria, batting first after winning the toss, posted a massive 271 for 4, courtesy of Selim Salau’s explosive 112 runs off 53 balls, alongside half-centuries from Isaac Okpe (65* off 23) and Sulaimon Runsewe (50 off 29). The Ivory Coast bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught, with Dimitri Fofana taking the only wicket as one batter retired out. 

In reply, the Ivory Coast innings crumbled spectacularly. Nigeria's bowlers dominated, with Isaac Danladi and Prosper Useni claiming three wickets each, and Peter Aho picking up two. The top-scorer for the Ivory Coast was opener Ouattara Mohamed, who managed just 4 runs. The rest of the scores read: 4, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, and 0 not out. 

This marked the first single-digit team total in men’s T20Is, surpassing the previous lowest of 10 runs recorded by Mongolia against Singapore and the Isle of Man against Spain. 

The result placed Nigeria third on the list of largest T20I victory margins, trailing only Zimbabwe's 290-run win over the Gambia and Nepal's 273-run win over Mongolia. 

The win solidified Nigeria’s position at the top of the six-team table, while Ivory Coast remained at the bottom after suffering two heavy defeats.