Nigeria U19 Women’s team made history yesterday by beating a test-playing nation Zimbabwe by one wicket at the Ongoing Africa U19 World Cup Qualifiers in Rwanda.
The victory was the first time the women’s cricket team defeated any of the International Cricket Council (ICC) 10 test playing nations, who are usually regarded as the elite cricket playing nations.
In the game played at Gahanga B Cricket oval in Kigali, Zimbabwe won the toss and opted to bat first.
Zimbabwe’s opening batter, Beloved Biza 33 runs off 36 balls helped the Southern Africans to reach 77 runs all wickets out in 19.4 overs.
Meanwhile, Player of the Match Lilian Ude, was instrumental in limiting the test-playing nation with her three-wicket haul, eight runs conceded, two maidens in four overs.
In a tense chase, Nigeria reached 78/9 in 20 overs to edge past Zimbabwe’s total and secure a hard-fought one wicket victory.
Nigeria had earlier defeated Tanzania on Sunday by four wickets and will face Malawi on Wednesday in the last group B game.
A total of eight teams are taking part in the qualifiers which will see only the top teams qualify for the World Cup in Malaysia 2025.
The tournament which began on Sunday will end on Sept. 29.(NAN