Trevor Langa and Patrick Matautaava bat Vanuatu to victory over Germany
Half centuries from Trevor Langa and Patrick Matautaava propelled Vanuatu to record a win in its opening match of Pepsi ICC World Cricket League (WCL) Division 7, in Gaborone, Botswana, on Saturday.
Vanuatu defeated Germany by 101 runs after posting 200 in its forty overs. After electing to bat, a strong opening partnership of 96 between Trevor Langa (55) and Damian Smith (40) saw Vanuatu reach 96 before the loss of its first wicket. The flying start was abruptly halted when Vanuatu lost four wickets in three overs, and a valiant 51 from twenty-one year-old Patrick Matautaava was not enough to stop the side being bowled out in the fortieth over.
Rana Javed Iqbal and Bilal Jafar took three wickets each for Germany.
The German run chase was spearheaded by Wasantha De Silva, who top scored with 31. However, a strong bowling attack saw Germany bowled out for 99 in 27 overs, with Niko Unalavi finishing with four wickets and man of the match Patrick Matautaava taking three.
Vanuatu captain Andrew Mansale was delighted with his team's all-round performance and discipline, saying; "I'm really pleased to win the way we did."
Germany's captain Asif Khan felt his side had let an opportunity slip away, saying: "We're disappointed with the loss, as we thought we let them off the hook after having them at seven for 140. Credit to Vanuatu on its performance, though."
In Lobatse, host Botswana also recorded a victory, after dismissing Ghana for 128. Ghana was sent in to bat and lost three early wickets, including that of danger man Obed Harvey for a duck. Captain Peter Ananya led his side's recovery (24), with Isaac Aboagye scoring 26 from 23 balls. Botswana's bowling was spearheaded by Russell Withey and Nabil Master, who took seven wickets between them. Withey recorded four for 24, while man of the match Master took three for 37.
Botswana opener Faisal Rana Rasheed (34) helped his side chase down the target in forty overs. Fifteen year-old Vincent Ateak took early wickets for Ghana, before Waseem Tajbhay steadied the run chase (35). Botswana reached 101 for four before losing two quick wickets to be 101 for six. However, Nabil Master's 17 off 16 balls helped the side reach its target with ten overs to spare.
Botswana captain Karabo Modise was delighted with his side's bowling, saying: "All credit goes to the bowlers. They won the game for us. Nabil and Withey's performances need to be lauded."
Though disappointed with his side's performance, Ghana captain Peter Ananya was philosophical about the result: "We had a bad day. They took all their chances better and won the game. Congratulations to Botswana."
Also in Gaborone, Fiji defeated Nigeria by three wickets, after Tukana Tavo took five wickets to skittle Nigeria for 69 runs. Nigeria lost three early wickets to be struggling at 38 for four, before Olajide Bejide was forced to retire with a broken thumb on one run. A further three wickets fell for three runs, and Nigeria was soon all out for 69. Opener Ricky Sharma top scored with 13.
Fiji lost early wickets in its run chase, before Sekove Ravoka scored a patient 20 runs to help Fiji reach its total in the twenty-third over.
Fiji captain Jone Seuvou was relieved with the result: "It was a low scoring match but we managed to come out on top, which we will take as a positive start and hope to improve throughout the tournament."
Nigeria's Adekunle Adegbola said: "We were just unlucky and I could just say it was a bad day for the team; but as we all know the best team has to win. Win or lose, the sport has to be played within the spirit."
Scores in brief:
At BCA No. 1
Nigeria 69 all out, 18.2 overs (Sharma 13; Tavo 5-38)
Fiji 70 for 7, 22.1 overs (Ravoka 20; Ogunlola 2-17, Akolade 2-31)
Fiji won by 3 wickets
Player of the Match: Takuna Tavo (Fiji)
At BCA No. 2
Vanuatu 200 all out, 39.3 overs (Langa 55, Matautaava 51, Smith 40; Jafar 3-37, Iqbal 3-58)
Germany 99 all out, 27 overs (de Silva 31; Unavalu 4-21, Matautaava 3-19)
Vanuatu won by 101 runs
Player of the Match: Patrick Matautaavao (Vanuatu)
At Lobatse
Ghana 128 all out, 37.2 overs (Aboagye 26, Ananya 24; Withey 4-24)
Botswana 129 for 7, 39.4 overs (Tajbhay 35, Rasheed 34; Ateak 2-22, Bagabena 2-32)
Botswana won by 3 wickets
Player of the Match: Nabil Master (Botswana)
Sunday's fixtures:
**At BCA No. 1:**Ghana v Nigeria
At BCA No. 2: Botswana v Vanuatu
**At Lobatse:**Fiji v Germany
All matches are scheduled to start at 0930 local time