Lesotho beat Mozambique by 74 runs in the second match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier Group C at Nigeria Cricket Federation Oval 1 in Abuja on 20 October 2026. Mohmed Duvesh Patel led the way with 63 off 45 balls and then took 2/12 with the ball as Mozambique were bowled out for 95 chasing 170.
How It Unfolded
Lesotho won the toss and chose to bat first. Patel anchored the innings, hitting eight fours and a six, while Maaz Khan added 52 off 32 balls with four fours and three sixes. Gladwin Thamae finished unbeaten on 20 off 16 balls, striking two sixes, as Lesotho reached 169/8 from their 20 overs.
Vieira Tembo was Mozambique's best bowler with 3/21 from his four overs, and Lourenço Simango took 2/25. Jose Bulele claimed 1/22 and Joao Hou 1/34.
Hou then carried Mozambique's chase almost alone, making 49 off 45 balls with three fours and three sixes. No other batter reached double figures; Lourenco Salomone was next best with 9. Lesotho's bowlers shared the wickets. Patel took 2/12, while Thamae and Malei Khauta each claimed 2/14, and Ts'episo Chaoana took 1/14. Mozambique were all out for 95 in 18.2 overs.
The Oracle's Call
The CricMind Oracle locked Mozambique as favourites before the toss, giving them a 79% chance against Lesotho's 21%, so the call was missed. By the Oracle's numbers this was an upset: Lesotho came in with a rating of 812 against Mozambique's 943, had lost four of their last five matches and had lost all three previous T20I meetings between the sides. The full Oracle call sets out each factor.
What's Next
Three matches into Group C, Uganda won the first match by 87 runs, Lesotho took the second by 74 runs and Nigeria won the third by 160 runs. Results and fixtures are on the Group C hub.
Source: Scorecard and the Oracle call.