Nigeria’s Junior Female Yellow Greens made an impressive delayed debut at the 2025 ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia, clinching a thrilling two-run victory over Test-playing nation New Zealand on Monday.
After rain disrupted their opening match against Samoa on Saturday, Sarawak’s weather once again caused delays, pushing the game’s start over two hours past its scheduled time and reducing the number of overs. However, this time, Nigeria’s resolve shone through.
New Zealand won the toss and opted to field, putting the Nigerian batters to the test. Captain Lucky Piety delivered a standout performance, smashing Nigeria’s first-ever six in a Women’s World Cup game. Her steady innings helped the Junior Yellow Greens post a total of 65 runs for the loss of six wickets in 13 overs.
With a modest target to defend, Coach Sarah Bakhita’s team approached the second innings with discipline and determination. Their well-executed bowling and fielding efforts restricted fourth-ranked New Zealand to 63 runs, also for the loss of six wickets, sealing a memorable victory for Nigeria.
The Junior Yellow Greens’ remarkable performance marks a promising start to their World Cup journey, showcasing their potential to compete at the highest level.
