The 2nd edition of the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup 2025 is underway in Malaysia. A total of 16 teams divided into four groups will be participating in the tournament. The top three teams from each group will progress to the Super Six stages of the tournament.
Samoa led by skipper Avetia Mapu faced Nigeria led by skipper Lucky Piety in Group C at the Borneo Cricket Ground, in Kuching. New Zealand led by skipper Tash Wakelin were then up against South Africa led by skipper Kayla Reyneke at Sarawak Cricket Ground, Sarawak, from Group C, in the opening day of the tournament on 18th January 2025 (Saturday).

Samoa U19 and Nigeria U19 share points as rain washes out campaign opener
The 3rd game between Samoa and Nigeria was washed out without a toss due to heavy rains, and as a result, both teams shared a point each from their first game in the campaign.
The rain gods ensured a curtailed 11 overs per side contest between South Africa led by skipper Kayla Reyneke and New Zealand led by skipper Tash Wakelin, in the 6th and the final game of the opening day of the 2nd edition of the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup 2025.
Junior Proteas stars flex their muscle to post a massive total in a shortened encounter
The South African openers Simone Lourens and Jemma Both got their side off to a flying start with a 52-run opening partnership after the White Ferns skipper Tash Wakelin won the toss and inserted them to bat first. Rishika Jaswal broke the ominous partnership by removing Simone Lourens (21 off 14 balls) to provide the first breakthrough for New Zealand.
South Africa eventually posted a total of 91/7 in their quota of overs. The opening stand was also the highest partnership of the innings for South Africa. Jemma Botha (32 off 24 balls), and wicket-keeper batter Karabo Meso (25 off 14 balls) were the stars with the bat for the Proteas. Ayaan Lambat (2-0-6-3) was exceptional in her spell, skipper Tash Wakelin (2-0-16-2), Rishika Jaswal (2-0-21-1), and Anika Todd (1-0-12-1) played their part with the ball for New Zealand.
The New Zealand openers Kate Irwin and Emma McLeod got their side off to an ideal start with a 33-run opening partnership, scoring at a rate of around 7 runs an over, chasing a stiff total of 92. Skipper Kayla Reyneke picked up the wicket of Kate Irwin to provide the first breakthrough for South Africa in the 5th over of the run chase. It was also the highest partnership of the run chase.
New Zealand were eventually restricted to 69/5 in their quota of overs, falling 22 runs short of the target. The run chase never really got going after the opening partnership as South Africa kept chipping away with the wickets. Opening batter Emma McLeod (34 off 25 balls) was the lone warrior alongside Eve Wolland (12 off 13 balls) with the bat for New Zealand in the run chase. Skipper Kalya Reyneke (3-0-15-2), and Monalisa Legodi (2-0-8-2) were the top performers with the ball for South Africa.

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