Nigerian wicketkeeper Sulaimon Runsewe: “We can qualify for the 2026 T20 World Cup”

“We have played Zimbabwe, Uganda and Namibia before; I firmly believe that all those teams are beatable. Sometimes cricket is a very funny game, Zimbabwe beat Pakistan at the 2022 T20 World Cup but then lost to Uganda last year, in the African Regional Qualifiers,” exclaims Sulaimon Runsewe.

Speaking to Emerging Cricket, the Nigerian wicketkeeper-batter exudes confidence in the national team’s ability to take others by surprise at the upcoming African Regional Final this year. “Look, anything is possible in this format, it might be our chance to shine this time. The boys are ready for it, we have been working really hard. Nobody wants to go and make up the numbers at the qualifier, we all want to qualify for the World Cup.”

Picking up Cricket

Currently aged 23-years-old, Runsewe has been representing the national team for a long time. He was identified for his talent early on, with good performances at secondary school level earning him a callup for the national U19 team in 2016, at the tender age of 15.

“I was the best wicket keeper at the secondary school leagues tournament. Being in the U19 setup from 2016 also helped me get selected for the U19 World Cup four years later,” he says. Runsewe is also bit of a trailblazer, being the first person in his extended family to play or even follow cricket. “No one in my family followed Cricket, I was the first one,” he chuckles.

It is reflective of the growing popularity of the sport in recent times which has made the country one of ICC’s priority members. “Yeah absolutely, cricket’s growing fast here. Participation has exploded amongst both youth and seniors. Our increasing competitiveness as a team also makes the general populace more interested in coming around to see what is going on with cricket,” states Runsewe.

Wicketkeeping and Batting

As for wicketkeeping, the youngster has always enjoyed doing it ever since he started playing the game. “I have been inspired by so many wicket-keepers especially my senior colleague Ademola Adeniyi Onikoyi, who is one of the best wicket-keepers in Nigeria. Internationally, Quinton de Kock and KL Rahul have been inspirational figures, particularly de Kock. I was sad to see him retire after the 2023 ODI World Cup. Also, both Rahul and de Kock are opening batters just like me,” Runsewe laughs.

While Runsewe shared wicketkeeping duties at the 2020 U19 World Cup with Miracle Ikaige and Issac Danladi, he mainly played as a batter for the senior national team after his debut in 2019. It took another 3.5 years for him to become the preferred national keeper, and that added responsibility has worked wonders for his batting as well. Since October 2023, Runsewe has upped his batting average by 8 and his strike rake from 98.5 to 120, with all his seven half-centuries in the format coming in this period.

“I love opening the batting. No matter where we play, no matter the pitch conditions, all I think about is opening the batting and doing the best for my country. No matter who the bowler is, I believe that I can hit him for boundaries and sixes. I have been working very hard on my batting skills with our coach Steve Tikolo, he always loves to push me,” he describes.

Runsewe admits that his favourite cricket strokes involve driving, cutting or pulling the ball. “I have learned to play the scoops and ramp shots too, but if I play it too much, I get in trouble with my coach,” he chuckles. “The trick is to know when to use it and when not to use it. If it’s not necessary in the game to use it, then I don’t play them.”

2020 U19 World Cup 

Nigeria’s first ever appearance at an ICC event came at the 2020 U19 World Cup in South Africa. They had achieved qualification in dramatic fashion courtesy of a thrilling two wicket win against Sierra Leone at the U19 Africa Qualifier the year before. Runsewe remembers the World Cup fondly, particularly the opportunity to rub shoulders with current stars such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Will O’Rourke, Jayden Seales, Jake Fraser-McGurk and Gerald Coetzee. “It was a very good experience. Personally, it was a dream for me to play against these bigger boys from the likes of India, Australia and West Indies.”

Before the tournament, the Nigerian team incidentally stayed at the same hotel as the Proteas, who themselves were facing off against England in a Test series. It afforded the boys a chance to meet with various South African cricketers, which Runsewe characterised as a “special experience”. He took pictures with his idol Quinton de Kock, as well as other superstars like Faf du Plessis and Kagiso Rabada. Furthermore, Temba Bavuma gave the U19 boys a pep talk before the tournament.

The tournament itself turned out to be a chastening experience for the Nigerian team. They suffered heavy defeats against Australia, England and West Indies in the group stages, before succumbing to Sri Lanka and United Arab Emirates in the Plate League. However, they avoided a last place finish courtesy of a comprehensive win against fellow debutants Japan in the 15^th place playoff. Runsewe scored an unbeaten 56 of 71 balls, which he says remains his “most memorable cricket moment to this day”.

Balancing Studies and Playtime

Currently, the 23-year-old is pursuing a degree in Public Administration, juggling studies alongside his cricket commitments. “It is definitely challenging. I attend classes Monday to Friday, then rest of the time I sacrifice for cricket, which includes quite a bit of travelling.”

A native of Ibadan in Oyo state, Runsewe now lives around 15kms away from Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Cricket Oval in Lagos, which he describes as the “best cricket ground in the country in terms of facilities.”

As for watching cricket, Runsewe relies on Facebook, YouTube and illegal streaming sites like TouchCric or Smartcric. “Cricket is not easily available to watch on national television unless you have a premium subscription to SuperSport. YouTube is a great source as well as you get to watch highlights of different bilateral tours and franchise T20 events.”

Bronze Medal and Overseas Club Deals

2024 was a breakthrough year for Nigerian cricket in many ways. The national women’s team overcame significant odds to clinch a bronze medal at the African Games in Accra by ‘upsetting’ higher ranked nations Namibia and Uganda. On the men’s side, the likes of Issac Danladi, Chiemelie Udekwe and Issac Okpe picked up club deals in domestic Zimbabwean cricket with Mbizo Cricket Club (CC).

“It is really exciting to see Zimbabwean clubs sign Nigerian players for the National Premier League competition. It shows that our talent and potential is being recognised by other leagues,” declares Runsewe.

Played over June to September 2024, the National Premier League (NPL) competition contained both a 45 over leg and a 20 over leg, titled NPL T20 Blast. The left-handed Danladi enjoyed a successful turn at both events, scoring 307 runs @ 30.7 and a 135 SR in eleven NPL games, as well as 154 runs @ 25.7 and a 120 SR in seven T20 Blast clashes. On the other hand, Issac Okpe and Udekwe picked up a combined 23 and 14 wickets respectively at decent economy rates.

Future Goals

Playing in overseas leagues is something that Runsewe wants to emulate. “I want to become as good a keeper batter as Quinton de Kock! Professionally, it would be a big dream come true for me, if I can one day play in the IPL. Even SA20, CPL, PSL or BPL. I know myself, I know my ability. African cricket is growing strongly, I firmly believe that it’s just a matter of time. We will get there one day in the future.”

He is also keen on playing 50-over cricket, to learn how to play long innings and at different tempos. “Improving our T20I ranking and qualifying for the Challenge League is a major goal for us as players and for our Federation President Uyi Akpata,” he states. As for life after cricket, Runsewe sees himself coaching and staying involved with the sport. “I really enjoy coaching and would love to keep passing on my knowledge to youngsters getting into cricket.”

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