31st March, 2021, Benin.
Team Edo 165 in 45.1 overs (Akhere Isesele 56, Joel Tabat Joseph 4/23, Ameh Sylvester Okpe 3/28) beat Team Kaduna 108 in 35.4 overs (Isaac Okpe 33*, Peter Aho 3/23, Useni Prosper 3/23) by 57 runs.
The NCF National Mens Championship started a week back on 22nd March when Team Anambra and Team Lagos clashed with each other. Now it came down to the finals where Team Edo and Team Kaduna faced off and the former played absolutely stunning cricket to win the final contest. Until the first innings, it was only Team Kaduna who were looking good in the game. But, Team Edo came even better in the second half to conquer the contest.
Team Kaduna were given a small target of 166 runs to chase down in their 50 overs. But the bowling unit of Team Edo had other plans, they started all guns blazing right from the outset of the second innings. Peter Aho bowled beautifully to dismiss two of the top three batsmen inside the powerplay. In fact, as soon as the sixteenth over began, Team Kaduna's half of the side was resting inside the pavilion. And the fairy tale continued in Team Edo's favour as they bowled out the opposition for just 108 to win the trophy by 57 runs. Peter Aho, Useni Prosper, Eghosa Aghedo and Isesele Odion bowled their hearts out in order to restrict Team Kaduna from reaching a small target of 166 runs. From the batting side, Isaac Okpe remained unbeaten on 33 and was the top scorer in the second innings. In the bowling, Peter, Useni and Eghosa picked up three wickets each while Isesele Odion grabbed a wicket to his name.
It was Team Edo who won the toss and elected to bat first. Their decision was soon proved wrong by Team Kaduna's bowlers as they lost four wickets before the completion of 20 overs. They were just able to add 60 runs in 20 overs, with a loss of four wickets. Now, the whole responsibility was on the shoulders of Akhere Isesele and Selim Salau to rebuild the innings and take their side to a defendable total. They rose up to the occasion and played sensibly to add 79 runs for the fifth wicket. But, as soon as Akhere Isesele got out after playing a crucial knock of 56, Team Kaduna came back strongly and bowled out the batting side for 165 runs. Joel Tabat Joseph bowled a magnificent spell of 4/23 while Ameh Sylvester Okpe also grabbed a 3-fer.
Talking about the season statistics, Isaac Okpe was the top run-getter with 134 runs averaging a brilliant 67 while Mustapha Yussuff of Team Lagos was the highest wicket-taker with as many as 15 wickets in just four matches.
The city of Benin has delivered some exciting cricket over the past week or so, we have seen some outstanding bowling spells to go with fabulous innings from the bat, it has all been a treat to watch. So, that was it from our side, hope we see more astonishing performances in the next season, till then goodbye and cheers!
