Follow UsAgainst all odds, the Nigeria Women’s U-19 team scripted history, winning against a strong New Zealand side by just two runs on January 20 (Monday). Before the match, the expectations were that New Zealand would canter themselves to an easy win, but unfortunately, the match turned out to be a horror show for them.
New Zealand won the toss and put Nigeria into batting first at the Borneo Cricket Ground in a 13-over fixture. Nigeria’s skipper, Piety Lucky, put on a show with the bat for the African nation, hitting their first-ever six in the competition, scoring 18 runs. Later on, Lilian Ude chipped in with 25-ball 19 before Omosigho Eguakuan hit a four-ball nine to take them to 65.
Nigeria pegged the Kiwis back in the run chase with two wickets in the first two overs, from which they failed to recover. Even skipper Tash Wakelin’s 18-ball 18 ended up on the losing side as New Zealand lost to Nigeria by the barest of margins.
Rightfully, Lucky was named the Player of the Match for her all-round contribution (18 off 22 & 1/8 in 3 overs).