By Abigail Philip David
Nigeria’s Junior Female Yellow Greens made a memorable debut at the 2025 ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia, clinching their first-ever victory with a dramatic two-run win over cricket powerhouse New Zealand on Monday.
After rain delays in Sarawak disrupted their earlier match against Samoa, Nigeria’s moment finally arrived as the game began over two hours late, with the overs reduced.
New Zealand, opting to field first, put Nigeria’s batters to the test. Captain Lucky Piety led from the front, hitting Nigeria’s first-ever six in a Women’s World Cup. Her calm and composed innings helped the Junior Yellow Greens post a competitive total of 65 runs for the loss of six wickets in 13 overs.
In the second innings, Nigeria’s bowlers stepped up to the challenge. Under the leadership of Sarah Bakhita, the team delivered a disciplined performance, restricting the fourth-ranked New Zealand side to 63 runs for six wickets, sealing a narrow and historic victory.
This milestone marks a significant achievement for Nigerian women’s cricket on the global stage.
