Nigeria’s Junior Female Yellow Greens bowed out of the U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in style, securing a dramatic six-run victory over Ireland in the Super Six stage in Bangi, Malaysia.
However, this win won’t count as they finished just one point behind England, falling agonizingly short of a historic semifinal berth.
A Gritty Comeback After a Rocky Start
Nigeria’s batting lineup faced early setbacks as four of their top five batters were dismissed for single-digit scores.
However, Christabel Chukwuonye anchored the innings with a composed 25 off 42 balls, guiding the team through a tense recovery.
With Nigeria struggling at 21 for 4, the lower order stepped up at the perfect moment. Omosigho Eguakun (17 off 23), Peculiar Agboya (17 not out off 20), and captain Lucky Piety (12 off 11) played crucial cameos to push the team to a competitive 94/7.
Ireland’s Collapse: Nigeria’s Bowlers Shine Under Pressure
Chasing 95 for victory, Ireland started strong, reaching 40 for 2 by the eighth over, seemingly on course for a comfortable win. But just as the Irish looked set to dominate, Nigeria’s bowlers turned the game on its head.
A sudden four-wicket collapse for just 14 runs left Ireland reeling at 54 for 6. Anointed Akhigbe played a pivotal role in this turnaround, striking twice in the 12th over, including the crucial wicket of top-scorer Rebecca Lowe (21 off 32).
Another 4-for-14 collapse in the final overs sealed Ireland’s fate, as they were bowled out for 88 in 18.4 overs, handing Nigeria a thrilling victory with just eight balls to spare.
Lillian Ude: Nigeria’s Match-Winning Hero
The star of the match, Lillian Ude, delivered a sensational spell, claiming 3 wickets for just 11 runs in her four overs.
Her deadly accuracy and composure under pressure ensured Nigeria defended their modest total and secured a memorable farewell win.
A Tournament to Remember: The Future of Nigerian Women’s Cricket Looks Bright
While the Junior Female Yellow Greens won’t advance to the semifinals, their performance in Malaysia was nothing short of remarkable.
Their grit, resilience, and ability to fight back against top teams signal a promising future for women’s cricket in Nigeria.
This narrow exit serves as both a heartbreak and a motivation. With this strong finish, the Nigerian squad has gained invaluable experience and will look to build on this momentum for future tournaments.
They may be leaving the U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, but their journey has only just begun!
