Nigeria’s women U-19 team, the Junior Female Yellow Greens, began their 2025 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup qualifiers with a flying start, beating Tanzania by four wickets on Sunday in Kigali, Rwanda.
Lillian Ude was the biggest performer for Nigeria, grabbing five wickets to power Nigeria to a confidence boosting win in their group.
Nigeria captain Lucky Piety lost the toss and the Tanzanians elected to bat first but that was the only win the East Africans would claim as Nigeria ran the show in the first innings with some spectacular bowling.
One of Tazania’s opening batter, Jenipher Kimaro, proved difficult in the crease for Nigeria until she was undone by Ude after making 64 runs off 60 balls.
Ude then proved to be a thorn in the flesh of the Tanzanians, grabbing four other wickets and conceding 12 runs to ensure they ended the first innings with 108 runs for the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs.
Nigeria began the second innings slowly and steadily and their batting order delivered 111 runs for the loss of six wickets in 16.5 overs.
Christabel Chukwuonye saw the most balls for Nigeria, 37, and she hit 19, not out while Victory Igbinedion who spent the most time in the crease for Nigeria hit 24 runs from 20 balls before she was bowled out by Kimaro.
Nigeria’s win puts them in strong position in the group ahead of their second game against Zimbabwe on Monday (today), as they hope to pick Africa’s second ticket to the World Cup in Malaysia next year.
