Lagos State Women’s cricket team clinched a heart-stopping 1-run win against Akwa Ibom Women in a rain-disrupted T20 match at the 22nd National Sports Festival Gateway Games, held at Moshood Abiola Stadium. The victory, determined by the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, came in a tense, shortened chase.
Akwa Ibom batted first, posting a competitive total in their 20 overs. Rain delayed Lagos’ reply, reducing their innings to 5.5 overs with a DLS-adjusted target of 38 runs. Led by Taiwo Abdulquadri’s clutch performance, Lagos reached 39/2, with Abdulquadri smashing three consecutive boundaries off Victoria Etukudo to secure the win in the final over.
Etukudo was Akwa Ibom’s standout bowler, taking 2 wickets for 7 runs in 2 overs and effecting a key run-out. Nsisong Ifreke Ndarake supported with a tight spell, conceding 12 runs in 2 overs. Despite Akwa Ibom’s disciplined bowling, Lagos’ late surge proved decisive.
The match was overseen by umpires Olanbiwonnu Kehinde, Oladunjoye Taiwo, and Baines Oluwatoyosi, with scoring handled by Ogundele Ololade Oluwatunmise and Abdullai Lateef.
This victory propels Lagos Women forward in the Gateway Games’ league stage, while Akwa Ibom aims to rebound in their next fixture.