Nigeria beat Uganda by a single run in a thrilling finish at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Sub Regional Qualifier C in Abuja on Sunday. Nigeria posted 148 all out in 19.4 overs, and Uganda fell one run short, finishing on 147 for 9 from their 20 overs at Nigeria Cricket Federation Oval 1.

Riazat leads Nigeria's total

Riazat Ali Shah top-scored for Nigeria with 60 off 36 balls, including three fours and five sixes, while Alpesh Ramjani added 20 off 18. Uganda's bowlers shared the wickets, with Abdullahi Ismail, Isaac Okpe and Sylvester Okpe taking two each.

Last-over drama

Uganda's chase went down to the final over, but they could not find the two runs they needed from the last deliveries, losing wickets at key moments — including two run-outs — to finish on 147 for 9. Joseph Baguma finished unbeaten on 1 as Nigeria held their nerve to claim a one-run victory in a qualifier where every result matters for progression towards the T20 World Cup.

Qualifier context

The match was part of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Sub Regional Qualifier C, played in Abuja, where several teams are contesting a place in the next stage of qualification for the T20 World Cup. Elsewhere in the same qualifier on Sunday, Mozambique beat Zambia by three wickets and Gambia beat Lesotho by three runs, making it a day of close finishes across the Nigerian venues.