Banjul, 31 October 2024 – The Gambia’s journey in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Africa Qualifier Group B ended in disappointment as the team closed out the tournament without a win, finishing last in the group. Despite substantial support from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, which provided D750,000.00 to back the team’s preparations and participation, the Gambian side was outperformed across all five matches, ultimately failing to qualify for the next stage.
Group B Table Summary
In a dominating performance, Zimbabwe emerged undefeated, winning all five of its matches and securing 10 points with an impressive Net Run Rate (NRR) of 8.893, making them the undisputed leader of the group. Kenya followed in second place with 8 points and an NRR of 3.108, while Mozambique and Rwanda, with 6 and 4 points respectively, showed competitive performances. Seychelles managed to secure one win, ending with 2 points, while Gambia finished bottom with 0 points and the lowest NRR in the group at -7.219.
Gambia’s Performance Analysis
Gambia struggled to keep up with its competitors, ending with a disheartening record:
- Matches Played: 5
- Wins: 0
- Losses: 5
- Points: 0
- Net Run Rate (NRR): -7.219
The team’s NRR reflected significant deficits in each game, highlighting Gambia’s difficulties with both bat and ball. They scored a total of 242 runs over 60 overs, averaging just 48.4 runs per match, while conceding a hefty 662 runs in just 58.5 overs, suggesting a lack of consistency and control in both batting and bowling departments.
Key Performance Insights
- Batting: With an average of under 50 runs per game, Gambia’s batting lineup was consistently under pressure. The batters struggled to build meaningful partnerships, resulting in frequent collapses against strong opposition bowling attacks.
- Bowling: Conceding 662 runs at an economy rate of approximately 11.26 per over, Gambia’s bowlers faced immense difficulty in restricting their opponents. They allowed an average of 132.4 runs per match, which placed immense pressure on their batters to chase high scores in every game.
Comparison with Group Leaders
Zimbabwe’s dominance, demonstrated by a staggering NRR of 8.893, and Kenya’s solid performance with an NRR of 3.108 underscored the experience and skill gap within the group. Mozambique and Rwanda’s competitive NRRs and consistent performances kept them in the running, while Gambia’s -7.219 NRR highlighted a mismatch with the competitive level of this tournament.
Path Forward
The tournament highlighted both challenges and areas for growth within Gambia’s cricket program. With continued investment, training, and exposure to high-level matches, the team has opportunities to improve their skills, particularly in creating resilient batting partnerships and enhancing bowling precision.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Africa Qualifiers served as a platform for valuable experience and development, and the D750,000.00 support from the Ministry of Youth and Sports underscores the commitment to strengthening Gambia’s presence in international cricket. Looking ahead, the team will aim to build on this experience to deliver a stronger performance in future competitions.