In a stunning turn of events at the 2025 Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup, Nigeria U19 pulled off an extraordinary two-run victory over New Zealand, securing their first-ever win in the tournament and marking a historic moment for West African cricket.
Earlier in the match, Nigeria posted 65-6 in their allotted 13 overs. Captain Piety Lucky played a crucial role with the bat, scoring a vital 18 off 22 balls, which included Nigeria’s first six of the World Cup. Lilian Ude also contributed a solid 19 off 25 balls.
Anika Tanuware (1-6 off 3 overs) and Tash Wakelin (1-6 off 2 overs) were the most economical for New Zealand.
Chasing a modest total of 66 runs in 13 overs, New Zealand faltered under the pressure. Eve Wolland (14 off 15), Anika Todd (19 off 27), and captain Tash Wakelin (18 off 18) were the main contributors, but their efforts fell short of the required rate. For Nigeria, the standout performers with the ball were Peace Usen (1-5) and captain Piety Lucky (1-8), who helped keep the pressure on New Zealand throughout their innings.
In a nail-biting finish, New Zealand needed five runs off the last ball to pull off an unlikely win. On the final delivery, Ayaan Lambat’s shot was mistimed, and the ball trickled toward the deep mid-wicket boundary. Anointed Akhigbe quickly collected it and fired a throw at wicketkeeper Deborah Bassey.
Despite the throw missing its target, Bassey had enough time to collect the ball and break the stumps as Nigeria U19 team secured a historic 63-6 finish in the T20 World Cup, sealing their victory by a margin of just two runs.
This victory in the U19 T20 World Cup is a monumental achievement for Nigeria. This is the first time in their history that they have beaten an ICC Full Member nation at a World Cup.
Their historic feat mirrors the breakthrough moment they had in the 2020 Men’s Under-19 World Cup, where they became the first West African nation to qualify for a World Cup. By defeating New Zealand, they’ve now taken it a step further, showcasing the progress and potential of cricket in West Africa.