Nigeria Earns First-Ever Cricket World Cup Win
Nigeria’s Junior Yellow Queens beat out New Zealand in thrilling, nail-biting fashion.
Nigerian players celebrate winning the ICC Women's U19 T20 World Cup match between New Zealand and Nigeria at Borneo Cricket Ground on January 20, 2025, in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.
Nigeria's under-19 female cricket teamhas secured its first-ever win at the ongoing ICC Women's T-20 World Cup in Malaysia. The team beat New Zealand in their first-ever completed World Cup game after their first game against Samoa over the weekend was cut short due to wet weather conditions.
The same conditions threatened their full debut; however, the game was reduced to a contest of 13 overs each, which Nigeria won in thrilling, nail-biting fashion. The Nigerian team batted first and scored 65-6, producing a staunch field display to limit New Zealand to a batting score of 63-6.
New Zealand was 57-5 and needed nine runs with one over to go, but tight bowling from Lilian Ude got Nigeria over the line, with the Kiwis finishing two runs shy of Nigeria's total. After securing the win, the Nigerian team was ecstatic, with players and officials expressing unbridled joy.
This is Nigeria's first-ever cricket World Cup win. The under-19 men's team made their World Cup debut in 2019. This under-19 female team must win their final group stage match against South Africa to qualify for the next stage, especially since their previous game against Samoa ended in a draw.
South Africa has won its first two matches and may be a tough challenge for Nigeria's Junior Yellow Queens.
