Set to feature in their first-ever World Cups, the U19 women’s squads of Nigeria and Samoa will make history when they take the field in match no. 3 of the ICC Women’s Under-19 Twenty20 (T20) World Cup 2025. The game will be played at Borneo Cricket Ground, Kuching, on the 18th of January 2025, at 8:00 AM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Squads:
Nigeria women’s U19 cricket team
Lucky Piety, Adeshola Adekunle, Peculiar Agboya, Anointed Akhigbe, Amusa Kehinde, Deborah Bassey (WK), Jessica Bieni, Christabel Chukwuonye, Omosigho Eguakun, Victory Igbinedion, Naomi Memeh, Beauty Oguai, Lilian Ude, Usen Peace, Umoh Inyene
Samoa women’s U19 cricket team
Avetia Fetu Mapu, Olive Lefaga Lemoe, Verra Farane, Angel Sootaga So, Norah-Jade Salima, Stefania Pauga, Jane Tali’ilagi Manase, Masina Tafea, Silepea Polataivao, Katrina Uiese Taa Samu, Stella Sagalala, Barbara Ella Keresoma, Apolonia K Polataivao, Selina Lilo, Sala Viliamu
Players to watch out:
Lucky Piety
The 18-year-old all-rounder in T20Is, from 38 outings, has posted 547 runs and, from 28 innings, has bagged 25 wickets, with respective bests of 70 and 3/14. In the warm-up games, Lucky registered scores of 28*(16) and 8*(11), alongside bowling returns of 1/6 (2) and 2/23 (4). She can be relied upon to carry this form into the World Cup games.
Usen Peace
The 16-year-old pacer, from 9 T20Is, has picked up 6 wickets, and in the Africa qualifier, she claimed 7 wickets from 5 outings, at an economy rate of 3.59. Usen has had a promising start to this campaign, returning bowling figures of 1/8 and 1/17 in the warm-up games, and should be backed to capitalize on this form, leading the tally for her side.
Avetia Fetu Mapu
The 16-year-old all-rounder in the East Asia Pacific (EAP) qualifier impressed, securing 8 wickets from 6 outings, at an economy rate of 4.42, and also adding 61 runs, at a strike rate of 135.56. In the warm-up games, Avetia has registered scores of 6 and 28*, and also bagged 2 wickets. She can be counted on to extend this form into the World Cup games.
Jane Tali’ilagi Manase
The 18-year-old took 3 wickets from 5 outings, at an economy rate of 6.14, in the EAP Qualifier last year. Jane has further impressed in the warm-up games, producing bowling figures of 3/23 (4) and 0/7 (1), while also scoring 16*(14) against a quality England attack. She is an exciting talent, and it is hoped she has a lot more in her to deliver.
Pitch:
The center wicket at the Borneo Cricket Ground heavily favors the pacers, creating ideal conditions for bowling, as evident from the average score of 110. However, batters, once settle in and find their rhythm, can accumulate runs effectively.
Weather:
The conditions aren’t ideal for a complete game in Kuching, with cloudy skies and a high chance of rain. The temperature is expected to be around 29°C, with light winds and 86% humidity.
Fantasy playing XI:
Verra Farane, Victory Igbinedion, Stella Sagalala, Lucky Piety, Avetia Fetu Mapu, Norah-Jade Salima, Peculiar Agboya, Adeshola Adekunle, Lilian Ude, Jane Tali’ilagi Manase, Usen Peace
Match details:
Date – January 18, 2025
Time – 8:00 AM IST
Venue – Borneo Cricket Ground, Kuching
Broadcast – In India, the game will be available for live stream on Jio Star.
Click here for the full list of broadcasters for the ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup 2025
