Youngster Paul Ayoleyine was a delight to watch in Ghana’s win against Lesotho on Monday, August 20 at the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup Africa Qualifier Division 2 tournament in Potchefstroom, South Africa.

The 16-year old scored a remarkable 99-90, not out, as Ghana beat Lesotho on day 2 of the tournament on Senwes Main Park, scoring 337-7. Ayoleyine had a good partnership with Richmond Baaleri, who also scored 89-90 in the middle order of the first innings as Lesotho won toss and chose to field.

Ayoleyine was then adjudged the Player of the match as Ghana won the game by 270 runs after Lesotho managed 67-10 in 20.2 overs. Aaron Boamah took 5-10 in 5.2 overs while Bless Bakodie took 2-2 in 3 overs. David Mario Pereira dismissed Ts’epo Seliane & Sello Mahadika, for a Golden Duck with figures 2-18 in 4 overs.

Ghana after losing their Group B opener to Nigeria on Sunday, will now have 1 more match to play to determine their qualification to the next stage, as Gambia, their supposed last group opponents together with Group A’s Zambia failed to turn up for the tournament.

Ghana, third on the group with 2 points will face Mozambique, on Wednesday at 9:30am (7:30am Ghana time) while leaders, Nigeria with 4 points play Lesotho. Nigeria on Monday also defeated Mozambique with 10 wickets after a 56-10 in 19.2 overs and 58-0 in 9.5 overs results.

In Group A, the first 4 teams are with 2 points each except Swaziland, who are yet to taste victory. Sierra Leone beats Tanzania by 8 wickets (96-10 in 32.4 / 97-2 in 31.5 overs), whereas Botswana saw off Rwanda by 19 runs (120-10 in 28.2 overs & 101-10 in 37 overs).

First 2 in both groups progress to the Semi-final, with the first 3 of the tournament progressing to the div 1 qualifiers.

By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey/voltaonlinegh.com