Nigeria’s U19 Women’s team celebrates historic win at ICC U19 World Cup

LAGOS: Nigeria stunned New Zealand to post their maiden victory at the Women’s Under-19 World Cup. This was their first completed game in their maiden Under-19 World Cup appearance after their first match was washed out on Saturday.

In a rain-affected game reduced to 13 overs a side, Nigeria scored 65 for 6 with contributions from captain Piety Lucky and Lilian Udeh.

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.

Anika Todd and Wakelin made 19 and 18 respectively but that wasn’t enough for New Zealand.