Cricket: Rwandans dominate West Africa Trophy leaderboard

File: Nigeria cricket team

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Rwanda are the only country giving Nigeria a run for their money at the 2025 West Africa Trophy cricket tournament, as the East Africans currently top the standings and the order of individual performances in Abuja, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

After inflicting the first defeat of the tournament on Nigeria on Tuesday, the Rwandans also toppled the Yellow Greens at the top of the points standings, while their players continue to dominate with both the ball and the bat.

At the forefront of the bowling charts is Rukiriza Emile, who delivered a standout performance by claiming 13 wickets in six innings with an economy rate of 5.72.

He is followed by his compatriot, Muhammad Nadir, who has 11 wickets in six innings, while Nigeria’s Isaac Okpe — the only bowler with a five-wicket haul in a single match at the tournament — is third with 11 wickets in six innings as well. Nadir sits above Okpe with a better economy rate of 4.20, compared to the Nigerian’s 5.86.

Another Rwandan, Bimenyimana Zappy, with 10 wickets in six innings, is fourth on the list, while Nigeria’s Prosper Useni is fifth with nine wickets in six.

On the batting side, Hamza Khan leads the way for Rwanda as the tournament’s top run-getter with 181 runs from six matches.

He is followed by his teammate, Isae Niyomugabo, who has impressed with 163 runs in six matches, offering stability and consistency at the crease.

For Nigeria, Isaac Danladi has been noteworthy. His contributions with the bat helped drive competitive totals in key matches, including in Nigeria’s win over Rwanda during their first meeting. Danladi is third with 154 runs, while the other Nigerian on the batting leaderboard is debutant Rahmon Ali, who is 10th with 96 runs.

Ali bagged the Player of the Match award after his 64 off 36 balls knock against Sierra Leone on Sunday.

In terms of eye-catching work in the field, Yellow Greens captain at the tournament, Sulaimon Runsewe, is setting the pace with eight dismissals.

He is followed by Rwanda’s Manishimwe Oscar with six in second place, while Nigeria’s Kenneth Boniface is third with five dismissals.

While some of the players have distinguished themselves, the tournament has generally served up compelling cricket across several matches.

In 12 matches, there have been 2,809 runs scored from 2,603 balls.

There have also been 166 wickets, 64 catches, 224 fours and 75 sixes. Ten players have reached the 50-run mark, but the first centurion is yet to emerge.

With three rounds of matches as well as the third-place match and final still to come, the race for top batter, top bowler, best fielder and ultimately Player of the Tournament remains wide open.

Abiodun, who reports Sports for PUNCH, covers different tiers of the Nigerian football league, the national teams, as well as cricket, in the last six years

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