Nigeria women’s under-19 cricket team, the Junior Female Yellow Greens, made history on Sunday, as they emerged victorious in the International Cricket Council (ICC) U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Africa qualifying tournament in Kigali, Rwanda.
The Junior Female Yellow Greens were unbeaten throughout the just-concluded tournament in East Africa, beating Zimbabwe in Sunday’s final at the Gahanga 2 Oval, as they sealed qualification for next year’s ICC U19 Women’s World Cup in Malaysia.
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Nigeria shrugged off Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Malawi in the group phase, before progressing to the semifinals, where they faced hosts Rwanda, a Test playing nation in a nail-biting contest, which they eventually won.
In the final against Zimbabwe, another highly-ranked side, the Junior Female Yellow Greens opted to bat first. Their batting, however, was not as crisp as expected, as they ended with 77 runs for the loss of eight wickets in the first inning.
The second inning provided all the intensity that was expected with Zimbabwe needing 78 runs to emerge as winners. The Southern African nation quickly registered 19 runs for the loss of one wicket in 2.3 overs before heavy downpour forced the game to be abandoned.
The aftermath of the abandonment meant Nigeria topped Group B and ended as winners, after head-to-head rule showed that they also defeated the Zimbabweans in the group stage, subsequently clinching Africa’s only qualification slot for the World Cup.
Nigeria’s Victory Igbinedion recorded 23 runs off 18 balls in the final and was named the Best Batter at the tournament having scored a total of 177 runs in five innings with an impressive strike rate of 99.44.
Victory Igbenedion shone throughout the tournament, earning the title of Best Batter.
She scored 177 runs in 5 innings with an average of 59.00 and an impressive strike rate of 99.44.
Congratulations Champ #NigeriaCricketFederation #JuniorFemaleYellowGreens #U19AWWCQ pic.twitter.com/Vg8L04zpRE
— Nigeria Cricket Federation (@cricket_nigeria) September 29, 2024
In the World Cup in Malaysia in 2025, the Junior Female Yellow Greens have been drawn in Group B alongside New Zealand, Samoa, and South Africa.
The team’s entourage of players and staff is expected to arrive in Nigeria on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.
