Zimbabwe Women U-19 stunned by Nigeria

ZIMBABWE Cricket Under-19 women’s team suffered a shock one wicket defeat at the hands of Nigeria in their second game of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier, which is taking place in Kigali, Rwanda.

Their performance against Nigeria on Monday left a lot to be desired from the Trevor Garwe mentored side who had gotten their campaign off to a dream start with a crushing win over Southern Africa neighbours, Malawi.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Zimbabwe produced a dismal showing with the bat as they were bundled out for 77 runs in 19,4 overs. Despite fighting back with the ball at the back end of their bowling innings, Zimbabwe couldn’t restrict their opponents and Nigeria won it with the last ball of the match, finishing on 78/9.

Zimbabwe’s batting scorecard against Nigeria was a contrast to that of the game against Malawi. Beloved Biza fought a solo battle with the bat for the Young Lady Chevrons, scoring 43% of the team’s runs. She finished her innings on 33 runs off 36 balls while Christina Mutasa made 10 runs off 13 deliveries.

They were the only two Zimbabwean batters that managed to cross double figures. Anointed Akhigbe took three wickets for just two runs in 1,4 overs while Lilian Udeh also did damage with the ball for Nigeria, finishing with figures of 3/8 in her four-over spell. Usen Peace also claimed three wickets for 16 runs in four overs as well. The other wicket that fell was taken by Adeshola Adekunle.

Nigeria were looking well on course for a comfortable victory on 56/5 in 14,2 overs before Zimbabwe tried to claw back into the game. However, the fight came a little too late for Zimbabwe.

Nigeria went into the last over needing two runs to win and it went down to one run from one ball and scored the winning run on the last ball. Mutasa, Biza and Runyararo Pasipanodya took two wickets apiece for Zimbabwe. Omosigho Eguakun top scored for Nigeria with 15 runs from 20 deliveries.

The on-going tournament features eight teams who are all competing for the lone ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025 ticket.

**Zimbabwe Women’s Under-19 cricket team**

Eight competing teams are divided into two groups. Group A includes Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda and Uganda, while Group B features Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals. The winners will then contest for that coveted lone World Cup spot in a final slated for September 29 at Gahanga Cricket Ground.
Zimbabwe’s next match is against Tanzania today.

Fourteen teams are already through to the World Cup, including the 10 full-member teams from the inaugural ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 in South Africa – Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies.

Tournament hosts Malaysia, Samoa (winners of the East Asia-Pacific regional qualifier), Scotland (winners of the Europe regional qualifier) and the USA, who received automatic qualification as the only team in the Americas region to meet the criteria required for the qualification pathway.

In November 2024, Kuwait, Nepal, Thailand and host United Arab Emirates will compete in a double round-robin format for the 16th and final qualification slot. — @brandon_malvin