Gaborone, May 26: Cameroon scripted a dramatic world-record victory over Sierra Leone in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier, pulling off the biggest one-wicket win in men’s T20 cricket history in terms of balls remaining.
Chasing a modest target of 65, Cameroon survived a sensational batting collapse to reach the target with one wicket in hand and 26 balls to spare, surpassing the previous record held by Portugal, who had defeated Gibraltar by one wicket with 19 deliveries remaining in 2023.
The low-scoring thriller also witnessed a rare statistical feat as both teams produced five-wicket hauls in the same T20 International. Cameroon’s Julien Abega starred with the ball, claiming 5 for 24, while Sierra Leone’s Samuel Conteh answered with an impressive 5 for 23 during the chase.
It marked only the second occasion in men’s T20I history that two bowlers had picked up five-wicket hauls in the same match, the previous instance coming in a game between Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea in 2019.
Both sides entered the contest searching for their first victory of the ongoing qualifier after losing their opening matches, and Abega immediately set the tone for Cameroon with a wicket off the very first ball of the game.
Sierra Leone never recovered from the early blows as wickets tumbled regularly throughout the innings.
They slipped from 22 for one to 39 for six before eventually being bowled out for just 64. Only one batter managed to score in double figures, while three players were dismissed for ducks.
Abega’s spell proved devastating, with four of his five wickets coming through clean bowled dismissals, while Roger Atangana chipped in with three wickets to complete the collapse.
However, Loic and Bomnyuy were the only Cameroon batters to reach double figures in an extraordinary match that will long be remembered for its drama, collapses and record-breaking finish. (Agencies)
