Nigeria vs Zambia, 15th Match

As Nigeria and Zambia gear up for the 15th match of the West Africa Trophy 2025, the contest promises to be both thrilling and competitive. Nigeria comes into this game with a relatively strong recent form, having won three out of their last five T20 matches in the tournament. Their squad boasts a well-balanced mix of experienced campaigners and young talent, particularly relying on their pace battery and all-rounders. Zambia, on the other hand, has been more inconsistent, securing just two wins from their last five outings. However, they have shown resilience with the bat, especially in middle-order stabilizers who can accelerate when needed. Head-to-head, these two sides have faced off six times in T20 formats, with Nigeria edging out Zambia with four wins while Zambia has won twice. The last encounter between the teams saw Nigeria's spinners dominate, effectively exploiting the slow pitches to restrict Zambia to a below-par score. Key players for Nigeria include their opening batsman Samuel Adebowale, who has averaged above 40 in recent matches, and their talismanic off-spinner Emeka Okeke, who consistently picks wickets in middle overs. For Zambia, the power hitter Joseph Mulenga and all-rounder Lungu Mwamba offer the bulk of their firepower. Strategically, Nigeria will likely aim to capitalize on home conditions with their spin-friendly attack, whereas Zambia will bank on their hard-hitting capabilities and fast bowlers to unsettle Nigeria early.

AI suggested match winner

Nigeria: 58%, Zambia: 42%

If Nigeria bats first at the Nigeria Cricket Federation Oval 1, they are expected to post a competitive total around 155-165 runs. The pitch tends to assist spinners and offers moderate bounce, which Nigeria's batsmen can navigate well. Conversely, if Zambia gets to bat first, a total of about 145-155 runs can be anticipated, given their recent struggles against quality spin. The pitch is likely to slow down as the innings progresses, making chasing slightly easier but requires a steady start. Both teams possess the ability to accelerate in the latter stages once the ball comes nicely off the surface.

The pitch at Nigeria Cricket Federation Oval 1 historically favors spinners due to its dusty and slow surface, offering variable bounce. The average first-innings score here over the last 10 matches stands at approximately 156 runs. The ground sees teams batting first win around 55% of the time, indicating a slight advantage to setting a total. Chasing teams have had success when pacing their innings carefully. Weather forecast on match day predicts clear skies with temperature around 30°C and light winds, likely providing good conditions for cricket. Best performances on this ground include: - Best bowler: Emeka Okeke (Nigeria) with match figures of 4/18. - Best batsman: Joseph Mulenga (Zambia), highest score of 82* at this venue. - Record team total in West Africa Trophy here: 179/5 by Nigeria.

Matches Played	Nigeria Won	Zambia Won
6	4	2

Team Recent Performance

Team	Last 5 Matches	Wins	Losses
Nigeria	W, L, W, W, L	3	2
Zambia	L, W, L, W, L	2	3

Samuel Adebowale - Nigeria's reliable opening batsman, recently scored 45 and 38 in the last two matches, anchoring the innings efficiently.

Emeka Okeke - Nigeria's premier spinner, consistently taking 2-3 wickets per game and controlling the middle overs superbly.

David Iyoha - Nigerian fast bowler, impressed with tight spells and crucial breakthroughs in the powerplay.

Joseph Mulenga - Zambia’s explosive top-order batsman, known for quick starts, with a recent half-century boosting their totals.

Lungu Mwamba - Zambia’s dependable all-rounder, contributing with useful 30+ runs and economical bowling figures consistently.

Patrick Phiri - Zambia’s pace spearhead, capable of striking early to put pressure on the Nigerian top order.