Cricket: Middle-Belt Tigers win maiden Nigeria Super League title
Middle-Belt Tigers defeated Southern Sharks by six runs on Saturday to win the maiden Nigeria Super League title.
The match was played at the TBS Cricket Oval, Lagos.
The victory marked a historic moment for the team after a strong run throughout the competition.
The final also concluded the maiden edition of the Nigeria Super League, which featured 20 matches and showcased some of the country’s top cricket talents.
The Middle-Belt Tigers won the toss and chose to bat first in the 10-over match.
The team started strongly as Solomon Chilemanya scored 17 runs off seven balls, including two sixes and a four.
Olaleye Elijah added stability in the middle with a composed 21 runs off 14 deliveries.
David Ankrah later added 22 runs off 10 balls, including three sixes, to increase the pressure on the Southern Sharks bowlers.
Eghosa Destiny finished unbeaten on 19 runs as the Middle-Belt Tigers closed on 104 for five, setting Southern Sharks a target of 105 to win.
Southern Sharks began the chase positively and remained in contention.
Isesele Evangel led the batting effort with a determined 26 runs off 21 balls.
Captain Isaac Okpe also scored 15 runs off seven balls to give the innings momentum.
Kenneth Boniface and Durotoye Gideon added useful contributions as Southern Sharks pushed the contest into the closing stages.
However, Middle-Belt Tigers held their composure in the final over and restricted the Sharks to 98 for seven to seal the title.
The Tigers also impressed with the ball as Ndubudem David starred with figures of two wickets for 14 runs in his two overs.
Awodele Shina also picked up two wickets, while captain Runsewe Sulaimon and Ankrah claimed one wicket each.
Earlier in the day, Northern Lions defeated Central Eagles by 32 runs in the third-place playoff.
Batting first in the shortened five-over contest, Northern Lions posted 60 for three.
Elijah Jimmy scored 15 runs off five balls, while Akhere Isesele remained unbeaten on 18 runs off nine deliveries.
Central Eagles struggled in response as Northern Lions dominated with the ball.
Okasha Isiyaku took two wickets, while Beki Kehinde and captain Okpe Sylvester also claimed two wickets each.
Central Eagles were eventually restricted to 28 for seven as Northern Lions secured a deserved third-place finish.
Captain of Lord Alliance, Northern Lions, Sylvester Okpe, said his team was happy to finish in third place
He said winning a bronze medal in the first edition of the competition was a good achievement for the team.
“I feel good. It is the first edition, and being able to go home with a medal is something we are happy with,” he said.
He described the tournament as exciting and competitive, noting that all the teams gave strong performances throughout the competition.
“It has been really exciting. There were lots of good performances from all the teams.
“It was very intense and exciting till the end, and it was really a good one,” he said.
Sylvester said the team would return with more determination and aim for the title.
“It will be a new time and another edition. We are looking forward to going home with the trophy next time,” he said.
Speaking after the tournament, President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Uyi Akpata, praised the standard of cricket displayed by all participating teams.
Akpata said the maiden edition had exceeded expectations and showed the growing level of cricket development in the country.
“The Nigeria Super League has exceeded expectations in its first edition.
“We have seen quality cricket, strong competition and excellent performances from the players.
“This competition is important to our vision of strengthening domestic cricket and creating more opportunities for Nigerian players to develop and compete at a high level,” he said.
Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Seun Odeku, also described the competition as a major success.
Odeku said the response from players, officials and supporters had been encouraging.
“This is a very good start for the Nigeria Super League.
“We are pleased with how the tournament went and we are already looking forward to an even bigger and better edition in the future,” he said.
At the end of the competition, Middle-Belt Tigers’ Solomon Chilemanya won the Best Batter award with 172 runs in eight innings.
Middle-Belt Tigers’ Ndubudem David was named Best Bowler after taking 14 wickets in eight innings.
Northern Lions’ Ridwan Kareem won Best Fielder with six dismissals.
Southern Sharks’ Ismail Abdullahi received the Outstanding Young Player award.
Southern Sharks’ Ismail Abdullahi received the Outstanding Young Player award.
Middle-Belt Tigers finished as champions, Southern Sharks were runners-up and Northern Lions placed third, according to the final standings