Nigeria national cricket team

Cricket has been played in Nigeria since the late 19th century when the game was introduced by the British.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-51125938 |title=How Nigeria's cricket team 'shocked the world' |newspaper=BBC News |date=21 January 2020 |access-date=21 January 2020}} Contacts between the administration in Lagos and their counterparts in Gold Coast (now Ghana) led to an international at Race Course (now Tafawa Balewa Square), Lagos on 25 May 1904,{{cite web|url=https://allafrica.com/stories/201904020517.html |title=Nigeria's Cricket Milestone |work=All Africa |access-date=2 April 2019}}{{Cite web |last=Okigbo |first=Ijeoma |title=Nigeria Invitational in Lagos points towards promising future for women's cricket in Africa |url=https://www.aipsmedia.com/aips/pages/articles/2022/31157.html |access-date=2022-04-23 |website=www.aipsmedia.com}} the Gold Coast winning by 22 runs.

The match became an annual fixture and for the first three matches was multi-racial. The fourth fixture in December 1906 was for Europeans only, and the African population started their own annual fixture in 1907. Internationals stopped for the First World War, and did not restart until the mid-1920s.

Between the two world wars, cricket began to become more formally organised in the country with two cricket associations for the Europeans and Africans being formed in 1932 and 1933 respectively. First-class cricketers from England began to appear in the annual matches against Gold Coast, and the 1939 match, the last before World War II, ended in a 58-run win for the Gold Coast.[http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1930S/1938-39/OTHERS+ICC/NGA_IN_G-COAST/NGA_G-COAST_22-25MAR1939.html Scorecard] of Gold Coast v Nigeria, 22 March 1939 at Cricinfo

Matches resumed after the war with a five-day match in Lagos in 1947 which ended in a draw.[http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/136/136806.html Scorecard] of Nigeria v Gold Coast, 18 March 1947 at CricketArchive The 1949 match went the way of the Gold Coast.[http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/136/136892.html Scorecard] of Nigeria v Gold Coast, 6 April 1949 As the number of Europeans working in the country reduced, the quality of the African players increased and cricket began to be organised on multi-racial lines in 1956.

File:National U-17 Championship 5th Edition.jpg

Following Nigeria's independence in 1960, there was much interest in cricket. Annual matches against Sierra Leone and The Gambia began in 1964, and were evenly contested until the late 1970s, when football began to become more popular in the country. Cricket began a process of decline, and when Tanzania toured in 1974, Nigeria lost two of the three matches and drew the other. They also lost heavily to the MCC in 1976. Internal problems with both the Nigeria Cricket Association and in Nigeria itself led to a decline in standards, though Nigeria formed a majority of the players on the West Africa cricket team that became an ICC associate member in 1976.[http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Countries/97.html West Africa] at CricketArchive

The West Africa team took part in the ICC Trophy tournaments of 1982 and 1997 before withdrawing from the 2001 tournament in Ontario.[http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Records/WestAfrica/Icct/Icct_List.html List of West Africa ICC Trophy matches] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016231018/http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Records/WestAfrica/Icct/Icct_List.html |date=16 October 2012 }} at CricketArchive Nigeria still continued to play on their own on occasion, though they sometimes withdrew from tournaments, as at the 1998 Africa Cricket Association Championship.[http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1998-99/OTHERS+ICC/ACAC/ACAC_OCT1998_GROUPS.html Group list] includes Nigeria, but [http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1998-99/OTHERS+ICC/ACAC/ACAC_OCT1998_RESULTS-SUMMARY.html final standings] do not. The West African Cricket Conference ceased to exist in 2002, and Nigeria became an associate member of the ICC in their own right the same year.

Nigeria's first tournament after becoming an ICC member on their own was the 2002 Africa Cup in Zambia. Nigeria finished fourth in their group after their only win of the tournament against Malawi.[http://www.cricketeurope4.net/CRICKETEUROPE/DATABASE/2002/TOURNAMENTS/AFRICACUP/about.shtml 2002 Africa Cup] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120612095304/http://www.cricketeurope4.net/CRICKETEUROPE/DATABASE/2002/TOURNAMENTS/AFRICACUP/about.shtml |date=12 June 2012 }} at CricketEurope They finished 5th in the Africa Cricket Association Championships in 2004, their only win coming against the last-placed Tanzania, thus failing to qualify for the 2005 ICC Trophy.[http://www.cricketeurope4.net/ICCT2005/DATABASE/QUALIFYING/africa.shtml Africa qualifying] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524025516/http://www.cricketeurope4.net/ICCT2005/DATABASE/QUALIFYING/africa.shtml |date=24 May 2011 }}, 2005 ICC Trophy official website

In August 2006, Nigeria took part in Division Two of the World Cricket League Africa Region in Tanzania,[http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/TZN/2006_TZN_ICC_World_Cricket_League_Africa_Region_Division_Two_2006.html WCL Africa Division Two] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724055835/http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Seasons/TZN/2006_TZN_ICC_World_Cricket_League_Africa_Region_Division_Two_2006.html |date=24 July 2008 }} at CricketArchive finishing last.[http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Events/Tables/ICC_World_Cricket_League_Africa_Region_Division_Two_2006.html WCL Africa Division Two Points Table] at CricketArchive This originally relegated them to Division Three, though they are not playing in that tournament in 2008.[http://www.cricketeurope4.net/CRICKETEUROPE/DATABASE/2008/TOURNAMENTS/AFRICADIV3/about.shtml 2008 Africa Division Three Championship] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080424064320/http://www.cricketeurope4.net/CRICKETEUROPE/DATABASE/2008/TOURNAMENTS/AFRICADIV3/about.shtml |date=24 April 2008 }} at CricketEurope They won the North West Africa Championship in 2007[http://www.cricketeurope4.net/CRICKETEUROPE/DATABASE/2007/TOURNAMENTS/AFRICANW/about.shtml 2007 North West Africa Championship] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512020756/http://www.cricketeurope4.net/CRICKETEUROPE/DATABASE/2007/TOURNAMENTS/AFRICANW/about.shtml |date=12 May 2008 }} at CricketEurope and 2008.[http://www.cricketeurope4.net/CRICKETEUROPE/DATABASE/2008/TOURNAMENTS/NWAFRICA/about.shtml North West Africa Championship] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411090533/http://www.cricketeurope4.net/CRICKETEUROPE/DATABASE/2008/TOURNAMENTS/NWAFRICA/about.shtml |date=11 April 2008 }} at CricketEurope

Nigeria played in Division Two of the World Cricket League Africa Region in 2008 and came second hence qualifying for 2009 ICC World Cricket League Division Seven. They came 3rd in the tournament thus remaining in the division .

In May 2011 Nigeria participated in the 2011 ICC World Cricket League Division Seven in Botswana.{{cite web |url=http://www.cricketeurope4.net/CRICKETEUROPE/DATABASE/2011/TOURNAMENTS/WCL7/about.shtml |title=World Cricket League Division 7, 2011 |website=www.cricketeurope4.net |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524180427/http://www.cricketeurope4.net/CRICKETEUROPE/DATABASE/2011/TOURNAMENTS/WCL7/about.shtml |archive-date=2011-05-24}} Nigeria came second in tournament, thus qualifying for 2011 ICC World Cricket League Division Six. Then the team went to South Africa in May 2011 to participate in 2011 ICC Africa Division Two (T20) en route to qualification of 2012 ICC World Twenty20. They won the tournament and qualified for 2011 ICC Africa Division One.{{cite web |url=http://www.cricketeurope4.net/CRICKETEUROPE/DATABASE/2011/TOURNAMENTS/AFRICAT20DIV2/about.shtml |title=Africa T20 World Cup Qualifier Division 2 2011 |website=www.cricketeurope4.net |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110627071635/http://www.cricketeurope4.net/CRICKETEUROPE/DATABASE/2011/TOURNAMENTS/AFRICAT20DIV2/about.shtml |archive-date=2011-06-27}}

In August 2018, they were included in the 2018 Africa T20 Cup tournament.{{cite web|url=https://www.cricket365.com/latest-news/csa-launches-expanded-africa-t20-cup/ |title=CSA launches expanded Africa T20 Cup |work=Cricket365 |date=7 August 2018 |access-date=7 August 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/798465 |title=Ghana and Nigeria set to join Kenya, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and South African domestic sides in expanded Africa T20 Cup |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=7 August 2018}}

In April 2018, the ICC decided to grant full Twenty20 International (T20I) status to all its members. Therefore, all Twenty20 matches played between Nigeria and other ICC members since 1 January 2019 have the T20I status.{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/672322|title=All T20 matches between ICC members to get international status|work=International Cricket Council|date=26 April 2018|access-date=1 September 2018}} Nigeria's first T20I match was against Kenya on 20 May 2019, after finishing second in the North-Western sub-region qualification group, advancing to the Regional Final of the 2018–19 ICC World Twenty20 Africa Qualifier tournament.{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/669712 |title=Ghana and Nigeria advance to Africa finals |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=21 April 2018}}

{{Single-innings cricket match

| date = 20 May 2019

| time = 09:30

| daynight =

| team1 = {{cr-rt|NGA}}

| team2 = {{cr|KEN}}

| score1 = 105/5 (15 overs)

| runs1 = Leke Oyede 27* (27)

| wickets1 = Shem Ngoche 2/6 (3 overs)

| score2 = 106/2 (12.2 overs)

| runs2 = Dhiren Gondaria 47* (31)

| wickets2 = Leke Oyede 1/15 (3 overs)

| result = Kenya won by 8 wickets

| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1184259.html Scorecard]

| venue = Kyambogo Cricket Oval, Kampala

| umpires = Andrew Louw (Nam) and Langton Rusere (Zim)

| motm = Shem Ngoche (Ken)

| toss = Kenya won the toss and elected to field.

| notes = First ever T20I match for Nigeria.

}}

In July 2019, the ICC suspended Zimbabwe Cricket, with the team barred from taking part in ICC events.{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/1288479 |title=ICC board and full council concludes in London |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=18 July 2019}} As a result of their suspension, the ICC confirmed that Nigeria would replace them in the 2019 ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier tournament.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1196860.html |title=Nigeria awarded men's T20 World Cup Qualifiers entry |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=6 August 2019}}

The 2,000-capacity Tafawa Balewa Square Oval in Lagos is the largest cricket stadium in Nigeria.{{Cite web|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1064003/nigeria-and-ghana-begin-world-t20-qualifying-campaign-with-victories|title=Nigeria and Ghana begin World T20 qualifying campaign with victories|date=15 April 2018 }}

{{location map+|Nigeria|float=center|width=390|caption=Locations of all stadium(s) which have hosted international cricket matches within Nigeria|places=

{{location map~|Nigeria|label=National Stadium|position=right|lat=9.0379|long=7.4534}}

}}

• 1975: Not eligible – Not an ICC member
• 1979 to 2003: See West African cricket team
• 2007 to present: Did not qualify

• 2019: 14th place
• 2021 (Africa Regional Final): 4th place
• 2023 (Africa Regional Final): 5th place

• 1979 to 2001: See West Africa cricket team
• 2005: Did not qualify

• 2009: 3rd place (Division Seven)
• 2011: 2nd place (Division Seven)
• 2011: 5th place (Division Six)
• 2013: 1st place (Division Seven)
• 2013: 2nd place (Division Six)
• 2014: 4th place (Division Five)
• 2016: 6th place (Division Five)

• 2006: 5th place (Division Two)
• 2011: 1st place (Division Two) (T20)

International Match Summary — Nigeria{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/results_summary.html?class=3;id=173;type=team |title=Records / Nigeria / Twenty20 Internationals / Result summary |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=11 May 2019}}

Last updated 14 December 2024

• Highest team total: 271/4 v. Ivory Coast on 24 November 2024 at Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval, Lagos.{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/highest_innings_totals.html?class=3;id=173;type=team |title=Records / Nigeria / Twenty20 Internationals / Highest totals |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=22 May 2019}}
• Highest individual score: 112, Selim Salau v. Ivory Coast on 24 November 2024 at Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval, Lagos.{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_innings.html?class=3;id=173;type=team |title=Records / Nigeria / Twenty20 Internationals / High scores |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=22 May 2019}}
• Best individual bowling figures: 6/5, Peter Aho v. Sierra Leone on 24 October 2021 at University of Lagos Cricket Oval, Lagos.{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/best_figures_innings.html?class=3;id=173;type=team |title=Records / Nigeria / Twenty20 Internationals / Best bowling figures |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=22 May 2019}}

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Most T20I runs for Nigeria{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?class=3;id=173;type=team |title=Records / Nigeria / Twenty20 Internationals / Most runs |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=21 May 2019}}

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Most T20I wickets for Nigeria{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?class=3;id=173;type=team |title=Records / Nigeria / Twenty20 Internationals / Most wickets |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=21 May 2019}}

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T20I record versus other nations

Records complete to T20I #3050. Last updated 14 December 2024.

Performances by Nigerian cricketers in World Cricket League since 2009

Highest Scores+

Dotun Olatunji – 127 vs Ghana at BCA Oval No. 1, Gaborone on 7 April 2013

Dotun Olatunji – 125* vs Botswana at BCA Oval No. 2, Gaborone on 9 April 2013

Olajide Bejide – 106 vs Tanzania at Royal Selangor Club, Kuala Lumpur on 13 March 2014

Segun Olayinka – 94* vs Argentina at Grainville, St Saviour on 28 July 2013

Endurance Ofem – 90 vs Cayman Islands at Kinrara Academy Oval, Kuala Lumpur on 9 March 2014

Best bowling figures

Oluseye Olympio – 6/23 vs Argentina at Grainville, St Saviour on 28 July 2013

Saeed Akolade – 6/27 vs Bahrain at Farmers CC, St Martin on 25 July 2013

Joshua Ogunlola – 5/28 vs Botswana at BCA Oval No. 2, Gaborone on 9 April 2013

Joshua Ogunlola – 5/34 vs Germany at BCA Oval No. 2, Gaborone on 12 April 2013

Olajide Bejide – 4/20 vs Kuwait at BCA Oval No. 1, Gaborone on 8 May 2011

• Highest team total: 397/7 declared v Gold Coast, 1932.
• Highest individual score: 166 by E Henshaw v Ghana, 1982 and by B Olufawo v Ghana, 2001.
• Best bowling: 7/65 by WS King v Gold Coast, 1952.

This lists all the players who have played for Nigeria in the past 12 months or has been part of the latest T20I squad. Updated as of 15 October 2023.

The following players have represented Nigeria internationally and also played first-class cricket:

• Henry Savory – played for Gloucestershire in 1937.[http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Players/32/32605/32605.html Henry Savory] at CricketArchive
• Richard Parkhouse – played for Glamorgan in 1939.[http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Players/4/4846/4846.html Richard Parkhouse] at CricketArchive
• Geoffrey Anson – played for Cambridge University and Kent in 1947.[http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Players/27/27490/27490.html Geoffrey Anson] at CricketArchive
• Robert Melsome – played for Gloucestershire between 1925 and 1934.[http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Players/31/31417/31417.html Robert Melsome] at CricketArchive
• William Shirley – played for Hampshire and Cambridge University between 1922 and 1925.[http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Players/6/6849/6849.html William Shirley] at CricketArchive

• 2009–2011: {{flagicon|NGA}} Clive Ogbimi
• 2011–2012: {{flagicon|RSA}} Sean Phillips
• 2012–2019: {{flagicon|NGA}} Clive Ogbimi
• 2020–2022: {{flagicon|LKA}} Asanka Gurusinha
• 2022: {{flagicon|NGA}} Clive Ogbimi (interim)
• 2022–present: {{flagicon|KEN}} Steve Tikolo

• List of Nigeria Twenty20 International cricketers
• Nigeria women's national cricket team

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

{{National sports teams of Nigeria}}

{{National cricket teams}}

Category:Cricket in Nigeria

Category:National cricket teams

Cricket

Category:Nigeria in international cricket