Cricket: Nigeria Qualify for ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup

Nigeria’s Junior Female Yellow Greens held their nerve in a four-run victory over Zimbabwe to secure a second appearance at the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup.

Nigeria won the toss and chose to bat, finishing on 98 for six in 20 overs. Captain Christabel Chukwuonye led the scoring with 21 runs from 19 balls. Beauty Oguai made 19 and Jessica Bien added 15, while Deborah Bassey scored 10 from four deliveries late in the innings to set Zimbabwe a competitive target.

Zimbabwe’s chase reached 94 before the team was bowled out in 19.5 overs. Salem Princess Museka scored 27 from 32 balls and kept Zimbabwe in contention. With six runs needed from the final over and nine wickets down, Nigeria needed one more wicket to seal the match.

Anointed Akhigbe, who had earlier dismissed Museka, took the decisive over. She bowled Vanessa Nyasha Maedza with the fifth delivery. Akhigbe finished with two wickets for 15 runs in 2.5 overs, while Peace Usen claimed three for 19 in four overs, Jennifer Godwin took two and Shola Adekunle took one.

The qualification sends Nigeria to the global tournament for the second time. The report said the achievement underlined the progress and growing talent depth in the country’s women’s cricket development system.