Nigeria edge out Japan

SELDOM has a partnership worth as little as 13 runs meant so much to a team as it did for Nigeria yesterday at the KGV.

That unbeaten contribution for the ninth wicket between captain Wale Adeoye and Oluseye Olympio edged their side over the winning line with 11 balls to spare against plucky Japan who made their opponents fight all the way for their win.

'I am really pleased because this is a competition we prepared so well for and we want to show what we can do,' Adeoye said.

Chasing 188 for victory, Nigeria found themselves in a spot of bother as they lost their first three wickets all with the score on 40 in the space of less than two overs.

However, an assured knock of 32 from Akabogu Okwudil and an excellent 48 from man of the match Adekunie Adegbola put them back on track.

The tall, languid Adegbola, who looks almost old-fashioned in his casual lean-on-the-bat stance, was the main contributor to their fourth wicket stand of 85, playing some delightful drives along the way.