At Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, Nigeria create history as they beat New Zealand by 2 runs
In a stunning upset at the Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup, Nigeria defeated New Zealand by just 2 runs at the Sarawak Cricket Ground in Malaysia on January 20, 2025. This victory marks a significant achievement for Nigeria, who were not part of the tournament two years ago and have now eliminated a team that reached the semifinals in the previous edition and whose senior side recently won the Women’s T20 World Cup.
After rain reduced the match to 13 overs per side, Nigeria managed to score 65 runs for 6 wickets. Captain Piety Lucky played a crucial role, contributing 18 runs and leading her team effectively. In response, New Zealand struggled to chase down the modest target, finishing at 63 runs for 6 wickets. Despite a valiant effort from Anika Todd and captain Tash Wakelin, who scored 19 and 18 runs respectively, they fell short.
This remarkable win highlights the growing competitiveness of cricket globally and underscores the importance of expanding participation in T20 formats. Moments like these resonate with fans and emphasize why increasing the number of countries in future editions of the T20 World Cup is vital for the sport’s development.