Ghana’s U-19 Cricket team has failed to pick the first 2 points in Group B, against West African neighbours, Nigeria at the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup Africa Qualifier Division 2 tournament in South Africa on Sunday, August 19, 2018.

Playing on Senwes Park 1 in Potchefstroom, Ghana won toss and opted to bat first. Nigeria went on to score a remarkable 291 runs, all out in 49.5 overs in the first innings. Ghana who had scary start could only manage 26 runs, all out in 14.4 overs, a score which had Nigeria to win by 265 runs.

However, Mills Yaotse took 3 wickets for 50 runs in 7.5 overs, while Richmond Baaleri also took 3 wickets for 52 runs in 10 overs.

In the other group game, Mozambique won by 245 runs after a 306-10 in 48.2 over and 61-10 in 16 overs results against Lesotho.

Group A had Rwanda beating Swaziland by 102 runs, while Tanzania defeated Botswana by 27 runs.

Ghana, in a group of 5 countries unlike Group A with 6, plays their next match against Lesotho on Monday at 9:30am (7:30am Ghana time) on Senwes Park main.  The 50 Over tournament will see 2 top teams progress to semifinals, third place and finals as 3 countries are eligible to qualify to Div. 1.

The team with 12 debutants had individual support from President Emmanuel Asare, Board members, Vantaka Mahesh and Nani Vattikutti, Managing Director of Aluminum Products, Mr Ravi and Everest Cricket Club.

The Ghana Cricket Association (GCA) is still in talks with the Ministry of Youth and Sports awaiting government’s support. The GCA is however hopeful of a positive response as they’ve lacked government support for many years.

By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey/voltaonlinegh.com