Nigeria’s Junior Female Yellow Greens celebrated a historic moment at the 2025 ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia, clinching their first-ever win at the tournament with a thrilling two-run victory over Test-playing nation New Zealand yesterday.

After rain in Sarawak delayed their opening game against Samoa on Saturday, the Nigerian team finally took center stage. Despite another rain delay pushing the start by over two hours and reducing the match to 13 overs per side, Nigeria’s resilience shone through.

New Zealand, opting to field first, sent Nigeria to bat. Captain Lucky Piety led from the front, scoring Nigeria’s first-ever six in a Women’s World Cup. She, along with Lilian Udeh, contributed crucial runs to help the Junior Yellow Greens post a modest total of 65 runs for six wickets in 13 overs.

In response, Nigeria’s bowlers delivered a disciplined performance. The innings began with a bang as New Zealand lost their opener, Kate Irwin, to a first-ball run-out. Emma McLeod, the other opener, was dismissed in the third over by right-arm seamer Usen Peace. New Zealand struggled to build momentum, losing wickets consistently and finding themselves at 49 for five by the end of the 11th over.

With 17 runs needed off the final two overs, New Zealand’s captain Tash Wakelin struck a boundary to bring her side closer. However, with nine runs required in the final over, Lilian Udeh held her nerve, conceding only six runs and sealing a nail-biting two-run victory for Nigeria.

New Zealand’s Anika Todd and Tash Wakelin scored 19 and 18 runs respectively, but their efforts fell short.

The win temporarily put Nigeria at the top of Group C before South Africa’s emphatic victory over Samoa later in the day dropped them to second place.

Meanwhile, the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has congratulated the Nigeria U19 Cricket Team for their famous win.

“I am very excited for our U19 cricket team and this particular win is worthy of celebration for so many reasons. The girls showed resilience which is the true Nigerian spirit and patriotism to upset cricket giant Iike New Zealand,” he stated.