The first couple of games in Group B of the ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup 2025, between Ireland and England, followed by Pakistan and the United States of America (USA) were eventually washed on the opening day of the tournament on 18th January 2025 (Saturday), the latter was washed out without a ball being bowled.

The United States of America led by the wicket-keeper batter Anika Kolan was up against Ireland, led by skipper Niamh MacNulty, in the 3rd game in the group and the 10th game of the tournament at the Johor Cricket Academy Oval. England led by skipper Abi Norgrove were up against Pakistan led by keeper-batter Komal Khan in the 4th game of the group and the 13th game of the tournament at the same venue.
An impeccable show by the USA U19 bowlers wraps Ireland U19 for 75
The Ireland openers Freya Sargent and Alice Walsh got their side off to a confident start with a 17-run opening partnership, after skipper Niamh MacNulty won the toss and opted to bat first. The pair scored at a rate of almost 8 runs an over, during their stay at the crease. Aditiba Chudasama cleaned up Alice Walsh (16 off 12 balls) to provide the first breakthrough for Ireland.
The 19-run partnership for the 5th wicket between wicket-keeper batter Abbi Harrison (13 off 23 balls) and Lara McBride (13 off 22 balls) was the highest partnership of the innings with the bat for Ireland. Isani Vaghela (3-0-10-3) was exceptional with the ball, alongside the likes of Ritu Singh (3-0-8-2), Cetnaa Prasad (3-0-12-2), Saanvi Immadi (4-1-15-1), and Aditiba Chudasama (2.4-0-16-2).
Chasing a target of 76, the USA openers Chetna Pagydyala (23* off 25 balls) almost saw their side over the line in the run chase with a massive 75-run opening partnership, levelling the scores before Disha Dhingra (46 off 33 balls) was cleaned up by Lara McBride (0.4-0-9-1) as she was looking to finish things off in style, falling just 4 runs short of her well-deserved half-century.
USA got over the line with 9 wickets in hand and 62 balls to spare, completing a dominating show in effectively their first game in action on the field in the tournament. Freya Sargent (2-0-8-0), and Jennifer Jackson (3-1-23-0) were impressive with the ball for Ireland.
Bowlers play an instrumental role in England U19’s comprehensive win over Pakistan U19
The Pakistan openers Fatima Khan and skipper Komal Khan (12 off 25 balls) got their side off to a decent start with an 18-run opening partnership after the opposition skipper Abi Norgrove won the toss and inserted them to bat first. Amuruthaa Surenkumar struck twice on successive deliveries to pick up the wickets of Fatima Khan and Ravail Farhan in the 5th over of the innings to bring England back into the contest.
Pakistan suffered a dramatic collapse as they lost their last 9 wickets for just 48 runs, as a result, were bundled out for 66 with 7 balls to spare. Zoofishan Ayyaz (15 off 13 balls), and Quratulain Ahsen (10 off 23 balls) were the other two batters to get into the double digits with the bat for Pakistan. Amuruthaa Surenkumar (3-0-17-3) was sensational with the ball, while Tilly Corteen-Coleman (3.5-1-2-2), Olivia Brinsden (3-0-7-2), and Eve O’Neill (4-0-13-2) equally stepped up.
In a chase of 67, England suffered an early stutter as they found themselves in trouble at 33/4 in the final over of the powerplay. Wicket-keeper batter Katie Jones (20* off 16 balls) joined skipper Abi Norgrove (14* off 9 balls) at the crease and the duo guided their side over the line with 6 wickets in hand and 64 balls to spare with a crucial 34-run partnership for the 5th wicket. Davina Perrin (10 off 11 balls) chipped in with a crucial contribution with the bat. Mahnoor Zeb (3.2-0-23-2), Fatima Khan (2-0-12-1), and Quratulain Ahsen (3-0-25-1) were the wicket-takers with the ball for Pakistan.

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