Nigeria’s U-19 women’s cricket team on Saturday stunned New Zealand to record their maiden victory at the 2025 ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia.
In a rain-affected game reduced to 13 overs a side, the Junior Female Yellow-Greens of Nigeria scored 65 for 6 with contributions from captain Piety Lucky and Lilian Udeh to secure a two-run victory.
It is a momentous victory for the young Nigerian team, particularly as cricket is a lesser-known sport compared to the hugely popular sports such as football, basketball and athletics.
According to espncricinfo, the chase started with New Zealand losing their opener Kate Irwin first ball to a run-out. Emma McLeod, the other opener, departed in the third over off the right-arm seamer Usen Peace’s bowling. New Zealand kept losing wickets in the middle overs and were 49 for 5 at the end of 11 overs.
With 17 needed, the penultimate over fetched New Zealand eight runs with captain Tash Wakelin hitting a four off the last ball of the over. New Zealand needed nine off the final over but only managed only six runs off Udeh, as Nigeria sealed a thrilling two-run triumph.
After the famous win, Nigeria led Group C briefly, only to move down to second after South Africa thrashed Samoa in a later match.
