Team preview: Nigeria
Overview
Having only made their T20I debut earlier this year, during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Region Final, Nigeria come into this tournament very much the underdogs. Their young squad – six of their 15 players are under the age of 20 – will not be worried, though, and they will doubtless be looking to cause an upset or two along the way.
At 37th place in the MRF Tyres ICC Men's T20I Team Rankings, Nigeria are the lowest ranked team in the tournament. But underestimate them at your peril, as they have already beaten higher-ranked teams in their short T20I history.
Readiness meets opportunity. Nigeria National Team AKA Yellow Greens pose with the official Kit for the ICC T-20 World Cup Qualifier taking place in the UAE...Nigeria will play their first game against Jersey on the 19th of October.... pic.twitter.com/yX0yxPM1l9
— Nigeria Cricket Federation (@cricket_nigeria) October 11, 2019
How they got here
Nigeria qualified for the tournament by virtue of finishing third in the T20 World Cup Africa Region Final. While initially only the top two progressed, Zimbabwe's exclusion from the Qualifier meant Nigeria joined Namibia and Kenya on the plane to the UAE.
T20WC history
Nigeria have never reached a T20 World Cup before. This will be their first T20 World Cup Qualifier.
Key player
Ademola Onikoyi – Nigeria's captain is also a key part of the batting line-up. His 49 against Ghana, scored from only 35 balls and with four sixes, is the closest a Nigerian batsman has gotten to registering a maiden T20I fifty. He will be eyeing up this tournament as the place to go one better.
One to watch
Sylvester Okpe – Named the vice-captain for the tournament despite being just 18 years old. Okpe was Player of the Tournament at the ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup Africa Qualifier, where he led Nigeria to a shock qualification for the ICC Men's U19 Cricket World Cup 2020. His nine wickets and 111 runs were just as crucial as his leadership skills, as his side went undefeated through their five matches.
Fixtures
19 October: v Jersey, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
21 October: v Canada, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
23 October: v Oman, Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi
24 October: v United Arab Emirates, Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi
26 October: v Ireland, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
27 October: v Hong Kong, Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi
Squad
Ademola Onikoyi (c), Abiodun Abioye, Sesan Adedeji, Vincent Adewoye, Daniel Ajekun, Chima Akachukwu, Yusuf Gershon, Daniel Gim, Segun Ogundipe, Isaac Okpe, Sylvester Okpe, Chimezie Onwizilike, Leke Oyede, Sulaimon Runsewe, Mohameed Taiwo