Nigeria senior cricket team claimed promotion to the ICC World Cricket League (WCL) Division 5 by piping Vanuatu, who lost to hosts Jersey, to second place of the just concluded ICC WCL Division 6 tournament.
They eventually beat Argentina by 8 wickets (with 125 balls remaining) to emerge runners up behind Jersey- the unbeaten champions of the tournament- at Grainville on Sunday.
Actions were already underway on Saturday in all the three match centres before the arrival of the rain that washed off scores.
The Nigerians were seemingly well set for a successful run-chase against the Argentineans, however, Saturday’s results was lost to the weather.
On resumption of play on Sunday at 11.00am (WAT), Nigeria won the toss and chose to field as Oluseye Olympio (6-23 in 9 overs) troubled Argentina with his fast bowling.
After lunch, Nigeria knocked off the runs with maximum fuss, opener Segun Olayinka making 94ËŸ in 73 balls to claim Man of the Match.
Their powerful batting line-up had them make 188 runs- knocking off the required 186ËŸ- with the loss of 2 wickets in a victory secured in 29.1 overs.
The victory means Nigeria will join Jersey in the World Cricket League Division Five in Malaysia next year after making it four wins out of five with their only loss coming against hosts, Jersey.
Vanuatu’s consolation is that they retain their place in WCL 6. Argentina, Kuwait and Bahrain slip out of the world structure.
Result.
Nigeria (2) beat Argentina (0) by 8 wickets.
Grainville, 28 July
Argentina 185 (46.0 overs, L Paterlini 48, B Irigonye 39, E MacDermott 34, O Olympio 6-23)
Nigeria 188-2 (29.1 overs, S. Olayinka 94ËŸ, A Onikoyi 35, R Sharma 34ËŸ)
