Nigeria’s Under-19 women’s cricket team celebrated a historic moment with their first-ever ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup victory, edging out New Zealand by two runs in a thrilling low-scoring contest.
The match, held on Monday, January 20, 2025, at the Borneo Cricket Ground in Sarawak, was reduced to 13 overs per side due to a wet outfield.
Despite their senior women’s team being reigning ICC T20 World Cup champions, New Zealand’s Under-19 side fell short of the modest 66-run target set by Nigeria.
Nigeria’s captain, Piety Lucky, delivered an outstanding all-round performance, earning the Player of the Match award.
Lucky contributed 18 runs from 22 balls and excelled with the ball, claiming the crucial wicket of Eve Wolland in a three-over spell that cost just eight runs.
Batting first, Nigeria struggled to gain momentum, managing only 65 runs.
Captain Lucky and Lillian Udeh were the standout performers with the bat, scoring 18 and 19 runs respectively, as the team hit just four boundaries and a solitary six.
New Zealand’s bowlers delivered a disciplined performance, with five of the six bowlers claiming a wicket each.
In response, New Zealand faced early setbacks, losing both openers with just seven runs on the board by the third over.
Middle-order batters Eve Wolland, Anika Todd, and captain Tash Wakelin tried to stabilize the innings with brief but valuable partnerships.
All three batters reached double figures, but their efforts weren’t enough to take their team over the line.
The Kiwis entered the final over needing nine runs for victory, but Nigerian bowler Lillian Udeh held her nerve, conceding only three runs and sealing a memorable victory for her team.
New Zealand’s skipper Wakelin fought valiantly till the end but was unable to secure the win.
This remarkable triumph propelled Nigeria to the top of the Group C standings, marking a historic achievement for the team.
