Story By: Akanimo Kufre
Anambra pushed aside yesterday whitewash suffered from Lagos State to defeat host in an intense match that showed courage under fire.
The early morning heavy down pour in Edo State made the T20 overs game to be shortened to 12 overs to accommodate second match on Tuesday at Edo Boys High School cricket pitch.
Anambra won toss and elected to fielded first while Edo batted first and scored 89 runs in 12 overs. That left Anambra to score 90 run to win.
In the second inning, Anambra came to batting party with different posture as captain Donald Okoye promised a different game, ” I brought the calvary and everything with me. It was all fire works and we got the victory” excited Okoye said.
Former Nigeria National Captain and Anambra pointman, Chimezie Owunuri seemed to play with a rage, Edo State team could not contain the former top batsman fireworks. Scoring 41 runs off 24 valid balls before his disputed dismissal. Earlier he took 3 wickets off Edo batting line leaving him an undisputed Player of the Match.
As Anambra batted to wash off yesterday dent, Edo fielding experience was put to big test as they struggle to keep Anambra under 90 in 12 overs. It was like walking a tight rope, sooner it got expensive for Edo as Anambra had to decide winning with 4 runs from 6 balls and sufficient wickets at hand.
Obviously, Anambra got the needed 4 runs while Edo fielded under immense pressure.
Anambra won by 5 wickets.
While Edo Boys were under pressure especially for several dropped catches, spectators including national coach, Asanka Gurusinha were watching with intense pleasure. ” This is the cricket we like to see, this is where they need to learn. It good to see how they play under pressure, how the react to it and compete. I enjoyed it because I can see which one is handling it and which one is struggling. This is real Cricket pressure” the former Sri Lankan batting giant observed.
In the second game, Lagos again showed higher class and quality play of Cricket as they defeated Kwara with 5 wickets. Kwara scored 66 runs all out. While Lagos scored 68 with 5 men (wickets) left standing.
Mohammed Taiwo was Man of the match with 3 wickets and 1 maiden over.
More thrilling games continue as some teams for pool B, like Ebonyi who replace Delta State arrived in Benin City for their Thursday encounter
