By Akanimo Kufre
Nigeria senior female cricket team, the Female Yellow Greens, on Monday failed to sustain their winning attitude as they lost their second match to Namibia by 8 wickets.
The Nigerian girls elected to bat first but crumbled under a superior bowling force led by Saima Tuhadeleni, who took 3 of Nigeria’s biggest batters. Her compatriots, Mekelaye Mwatile and Kayleen Green, also ensured the West African cricket powerhouse did not perform with smiles.
Nigeria managed to score a paltry 70 runs out of a possible 120 runs. Namibian bowlers took the shine off Piety Lucky, Amusa Muhibat, and captain Peculiar Agboya. Only Salome Sunday played 22 runs as the highest individual score before she was wrapped with LBW by Mwatile.
Nigeria started the second inning on a promising note when Lilian Udeh dismissed Namibian captain and opener, Sune Wittman with a golden duck. Nigeria also dismissed Kayleen Green at 15 runs. However, Nigeria’s celebration was short-lived as Yasmeen Khan singlehandedly took the game to the finish line with 51 runs off 30 balls. Namibia scored 71 runs and lost 2 wickets in just 9.5 overs.
Yasmeen Khan was in charge as captain when Nigeria women defeated Namibia at Achimota, Ghana, in March 2024 during the Africa Games.
Nigeria’s next challenge would be against Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe tops Group A with 4 points, while Nigeria sits second with 2 points after two games.
