Ghana’s national cricket team underlined their growing credentials with a dramatic last-ball victory over Malawi yesterday, maintaining a flawless start to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Africa Qualifier at the Achimota Cricket Oval in Accra.

In a contest that swung relentlessly until the final delivery, Ghana held their nerve to secure a narrow two-wicket win, following up their opening six-wicket triumph over Seychelles to remain unbeaten after two matches.

Chasing a modest target of 99, Ghana were pushed to the brink by a disciplined Malawian bowling attack.

What appeared to be a routine chase quickly turned into a tense battle, with wickets falling at regular intervals and the outcome hanging in the balance deep into the final over.

Needing four runs off the last ball after the dismissal of Philip Yevugah in the penultimate over, Lee Nyarko stepped up with ice-cool composure, striking the decisive boundary to seal victory. 

Earlier, Malawi had posted 98 for eight in their 20 overs, a total that looked well within Ghana’s reach but ultimately proved far more challenging than anticipated.

Ghana, Tanzania up

The result lifts Ghana to joint top of the six-team standings alongside Tanzania, both sides on four points from two matches, as the race intensifies for the two qualifying spots to the Regional Qualifier — the next step on the road to the 2028 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Tanzania also made a strong statement, hammering Eswatini by a massive 158 runs — the biggest win of the tournament so far — having earlier opened their campaign with an eight-wicket victory over Malawi.

Seychelles reignited their challenge with a convincing seven-wicket win over St Helena on Wednesday, bouncing back from their opening defeat to Ghana to move onto two points.

Despite their heavy loss to Tanzania, Eswatini remain in contention, sitting fourth on the table with two points following their earlier 27-run win over St Helena.
St Helena, however, continues to struggle at the foot of the standings, still searching for their first victory of the competition.

After a rest day today, the tournament resumes tomorrow with Ghana taking on St Helena, Malawi facing Eswatini, and Tanzania clashing with Seychelles.

Saturday’s fixtures will see Ghana meet Eswatini, Tanzania face St Helena, and Seychelles take on Malawi, before a potentially decisive final round on Sunday, where Ghana will lock horns with Tanzania in what could prove a top-of-the-table showdown.