Nigeria’s Junior Female Yellow Greens have booked their place at the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup after edging Zimbabwe by four runs in the Africa Qualifier Division 1 final in Tanzania.
Quick facts
- Nigeria reached the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup for the second time.
- Nigeria made 98 for six before dismissing Zimbabwe for 94 in 19.5 overs.
- Peace Usen led the attack with three wickets for 19 runs.
- The Nigerian team completed an unbeaten qualifying campaign.
The result gives Nigeria a second appearance at the global under-19 tournament. Their victory came after they defended a modest total in a tense finish.
Having won the toss, Nigeria chose to bat and posted 98 for six from their 20 overs. Captain Christabel Chukwuonye made 21 from 19 balls, while Beauty Oguai added 19 and Jessica Bieni contributed 15.
Deborah Bassey supplied a late boost with 10 runs off an unspecified number of deliveries, helping Nigeria reach their final score.
Zimbabwe began the chase positively, with Salem Princess Museka leading the way on 27 from 32 balls. Nigeria, however, kept the pressure on throughout the innings.
Peace Usen returned figures of three for 19 from four overs. Jennifer Godwin claimed two wickets, and Shola Adekunle took one.
Zimbabwe entered the last over requiring five runs with only one wicket left. Anointed Akhigbe settled the contest on the fifth delivery of the 20th over, bowling Vanessa Nyasha Maedza to dismiss Zimbabwe for 94.
Akhigbe finished with two wickets for 15 runs from 2.5 overs. The tournament triumph completed an unbeaten qualification run for Nigeria in Tanzania.
