Captain of Ghana’s U-19 Cricket team, Lee Nyarko motivated his side to clinch their first victory at the ICC U-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Africa Div 2 Qualifier with his individual performance at Dar es Salaam on Friday, August 2, 2024.
Mozambique won toss and were limited to a score of 80 runs, all out in 34.3 overs. Ghana’s captain Lee Nyarko who is obviously the only exposed and more experienced player in the team, due to his participation at the 13th African Games, had an impressive bowling figures (10.0- 01- 25 -5), as he bowled in the power play together with Elisha Frimpong.
The second innings saw a more determined and hungrier for victory Ghanaian side that achieved the target set by Mozambique but with a little upset.
Aariz Sood and Derrick Ateak started slowly and steady but Ateak was out via LBW on the 2.1.
Before Elisha Frimpong could settle, Charles Mbebe got him out bowled, after a dot ball. As if that was all the upset, Mbebe dismissed David Ateak for a golden duck, with Ghana still at 6-3 in 2.4 overs.
It was a ‘Lee Nyarko-Day’, as came on after Aariz Sood was dismissed via LBW in the 5.3 over, with Ghana at 32runs. He scored *30(28) in addition to his bowling figures, as Ghana secured a 4 wickets victory, after losing two more wickets and scoring 81/6 in 11.4 overs.
Nyarko, was however decorated with the Player of the Match Accolade.
In the other group B game, Tanzania beat Nigeria by 6 wickets after 127-10 in 45.4 overs and 128/4 in 35.4 overs results.
Ghana will next face host Tanzania on Sunday at 9:30 (6:30am Ghana Time) at the UDSM ground.
With three teams qualifying to Div 1, Ghana must ensure they go past the host to boost their chances of a semifinal berth.
By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey
