Nigeria’s Lucky Piety shines in the clash against New Zealand in the Women Under-19 T20 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur on January 20, 2025. Photo: X/@cricket_nigeria

Debutants Nigeria scripted the unimaginable as they stunned a formidable New Zealand by two runs for a historic win in a rain-interrupted low-scoring thriller of the ICC Women’s U-19 T20 World Cup in which both sides were restricted for under-70 totals in Kuala Lumpur on Monday (January 20, 2025).

Nigeria scored 65-6 batting first, before producing an energetic display on the field derailed New Zealand’s run chase.

The Kiwis were 57-5, needing nine runs with one over to go in the 13-over contest. However, tight bowling from pacer Lilian Udeh got them over the line with the Kiwis falling short by just two runs.

Udeh (19) and skipper Lucky Piety (18) were the only ones to hit double figures in the game for Nigeria, while Anika Todd top-scored for New Zealand with a 19-run effort.

Football and athletics are popular sports in Nigeria, unlike in the south of the continent (South Africa, Zimbabwe) where cricket has a big fan following.

But the Nigerian girls placed the spotlight on their country’s cricketing growth by becoming the first West African country to qualify for a global tournament and then producing the biggest shock by upsetting an ICC full member nation in a Group C match.

The Nigerians were left to wait for an opportunity after their contest with Samoa on Saturday was abandoned due to rain.

Wet weather again threatened the proceedings in Sarawak, but the African nation made the most of their chances once it was confirmed there would be play, albeit a reduced contest of 13 overs each.

In another match of the day, Australia beat Bangladesh by two wickets in a tense Group D match and all but secured their progression to the next stage.

USA also announced itself as a World Cup force after stunning Ireland in Johor, winning by nine wickets and drastically improving their net run rate position in Group B.

India’s GenNext cricketers will be eager to extend their dominance in the global stage as they seek to defend the title of the ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup beginning in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday (January 18, 2025).

Clubbed with the West Indies, Sri Lanka and hosts Malaysia in Group A, India will begin their campaign against the Caribbeans at the Bayuemas Oval on Sunday (January 19, 2025).

India had won the last edition — also inaugural — held in South Africa in 2023, beating England by seven wickets in the final.

The opening day’s fixtures will see last edition’s semi-finalists Australia taking on Scotland in Group D, while the 2023 runners-up England will face Ireland in Group B.

Other matches on Saturday include Samoa versus Nigeria (Group C), Bangladesh against Nepal (Group D), Pakistan versus the United States (Group B), and New Zealand against South Africa (Group C).

The tournament, featuring 16 teams, are divided into four groups, with the top three from each group progressing to the Super Six stage.

From there, the top-two teams from each Super Six group will advance to the semi-finals, culminating in the summit clash on February 2.

Shafali Verma-led India’s victory over England in the 2023 final in South Africa marked a historic moment for age group women’s cricket.

Shafali had led by example, while the team, coached by Nooshin Al Khadeer, also had the likes of current India senior player Titas Sadhu, Shweta Sehrawat, and the spin trio of Mannat Kashyap, Parshavi Chopra and Archana Devi.

With the ODI World Cup at home due later this year, the Niki Prasad-led squad will be eager to seize the opportunity and make the leap to the senior team.

Among the promising players is Hyderabad’s Trisha G, whose top-order aggression guided India to victory in the U-19 Asia Cup last month.

Having been a squad member two years ago also, Trisha is poised for an even stronger performance on the world stage.

The team also boasts a lethal left-arm orthodox spin attack in Parunika Sisodia, Sonam Yadav and Aayushi Shukla — all emerged as key players in the triumphant Asia Cup here last year.

India would face strong challenge from England, Australia and South Africa.

This edition will see Samoa making their ICC tournament debut, alongside Nigeria, Nepal and Malaysia, all competing in their first U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup.

India Squad

Niki Prasad (Captain), Sanika Chalke (Vice-captain), G Trisha, Kamalini G (WK), Bhavika Ahire (WK), Ishwari Awasare, Mithila Vinod, Joshitha VJ, Sonam Yadav, Parunika Sisodiya, Kesari Drithi, Aayushi Shukla, Anandita Kishor, MD Shabnam, Vaishnavi S; Standby players: Nandhana S, Ira J and Anadi T.

The Groups

Group A: India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, West Indies;

Group B: England, Ireland, Pakistan, United States;

Group C: New Zealand, Nigeria, Samoa, South Africa;

Group D: Australia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Scotland.