In a jaw-dropping display of cricket, Ivory Coast was bowled out for just 7 runs in an international T20 match against Nigeria, setting a world record for the lowest score in the format. The match, part of the African qualifiers for the 2026 T20 World Cup, took place at Lagos’ Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval.
Batting first, Nigeria piled on a massive 271 runs for the loss of 4 wickets. Opener Salim Salau led the charge with a blistering 112 off 53 balls before retiring hurt. Fellow opener Sulaimon Ransome added a quickfire 50 off 29 balls, while Isaac Okpe smashed 65 runs off just 23 deliveries, hammering six sixes and three fours.
Ivory Coast’s reply was a catastrophe. After scoring 4 runs in the first over, the entire batting lineup collapsed. Nine wickets fell for just 3 more runs as they were bowled out in 7.3 overs. Despite playing 45 balls, Ivory Coast managed only 7 runs, avoiding the dubious record of the fewest balls faced in an all-out inning.
Though Nigeria’s margin of victory (264 runs) was not a record, the match will be remembered for Ivory Coast’s historic batting collapse, a rare and shocking moment in cricket history.
