January 29, Kuala Lumpur. In a nail-biting finish, Nigeria wrapped up their campaign in the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025 with a remarkable six-run victory over Ireland at the UKM-YSD Cricket Oval in Bangi. The victory marked Nigeria’s second win of the tournament, solidifying their place in history as they showcased their talent on the world stage.
Lilian Ude Shines with Ball and Bat
Lilian Ude was the standout performer for Nigeria, delivering an exceptional bowling performance with figures of three wickets for just 11 runs, effectively disrupting Ireland’s chase of a modest target of 95 runs. Her exploits didn’t stop there, as she also contributed a quickfire 12 runs down the order, playing a vital role in securing the win alongside steady contributions from Peculiar Agboya and Omosigho Eguakun, both of whom added 17 runs.
Christabel Chukwuonye’s Steady Leadership
Nigeria’s innings was anchored by opener Christabel Chukwuonye, who scored 25 runs and played a crucial role in stabilizing the innings after a shaky start. Following the early loss of Victory Igbinedion for a duck, and Muhibat Amusa for just five runs, Chukwuonye’s calm presence allowed Nigeria to recover, forming pivotal partnerships amid regular wickets.
Despite the challenges, Ude’s late push with the bat ensured Nigeria set a challenging total of 94 for Ireland.
Ireland’s Chase Falters Amidst Regular Wickets
In response, Ireland began confidently but faced early setbacks, losing opener Alice Walsh for a zero. A promising partnership between Freya Sargent and Rebecca Lowe (30 runs) was cut short when Ude struck, dismissing Sargent for 14. The pressure mounted as Nigeria consistently picked up wickets, leaving Ireland struggling at 54 for six.
Despite a brief resistance from Niamh MacNulty and Millie Spence, both of whom fell in quick succession, Ireland seemed poised to chase down the target before ultimately being bowled out for 88 in just 18.4 overs.
A Historic Tournament for Nigeria
This exhilarating victory not only secured a win against Ireland but also came on the heels of a thrilling two-run victory over New Zealand in their campaign opener. With this victory, Nigeria clinched third place in Super Six Group 2, marking a historic moment for the team in their first-ever appearance at the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup.
Scores in Brief:
- Nigeria: 94 for 7 in 20 overs (Christabel Chukwuonye 25, Peculiar Agboya 17; Kia McCartney 2/13)
- Ireland: 88 all out in 18.4 overs (Rebecca Lowe 21, Millie Spence 14; Lilian Ude 3/11)
Result: Nigeria wins by six runs.
With resilience and tenacity, the Nigerian team leaves an indelible mark on the tournament and promises to be a force to reckon with in future editions.
Source: ICC
