We are into the Super Six stages of the ongoing 2nd edition of the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup 2025 in Malaysia. India, Australia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Scotland, and the West Indies are drawn into Group 1, while South Africa, England, Nigeria, Ireland, the United States of America, and New Zealand constitute the Group 2. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-final of the tournament.
On the eighth day of the tournament, New Zealand, led by skipper Tash Wakelin, faced the United States, led by skipper Anika Kolan, to start things off in Group 2 in the Super Six stages.

The New Zealand openers Kate Irwin (15 off 17 balls) and Emma MacLeod (15 off 12 balls) got their side off to a flying start with a 32-run opening partnership after the USA skipper Anika Kolan won the toss and inserted the White Ferns to bat first at the YSD-UKM Cricket Oval, Bangi. The pair scored at a rate of 8 runs an over. Ritu Singh picked up the wicket of Irwin to provide the much-needed first breakthrough for the USA.
New Zealand suffered a horrible collapse as they lost their next five wickets for just 23 runs. Rishika Jaswal (17 off 27 balls) joined Hannah Francis at the crease and the duo took their side closer to the 100-run mark with a much-needed 34-run partnership for the 7th wicket. Chetnaa Prasad picked up the wicket of Hannah Francis (25 off 33 balls) to provide the much-needed 7th breakthrough for the USA.
New Zealand were eventually bundled out for 97 with one ball to spare. Ritu Singh (3.5-0-15-5) was exceptional with the ball, leading USA’s fightback. Chetnaa Prasad (4-0-13-1) Saanvi Immadi (4-0-19-1), and Maahi Madhavan (2-1-1-1), played a vital role with the ball for the USA.

Chasing a target of 98, the USA kept losing wickets at regular intervals and as a result, they were bundled out for 79 with 17 balls to spare, falling 18 runs short of the target.
Disha Dhingra (30 off 24 balls) took the attack to the opposition bowlers and approached the run chase with a positive intent. Ritu Singh (14 off 15 balls), and Aditiba Chudasama (15 off 20 balls) were the only other batters to get into the double digits for the Anika Kolan-led side.
Rishika Jaswal (4-0-14-2), and Kate Irwin (4-0-15-2), picked up a couple of wickets each with the ball for New Zealand. Sophie Court (2-0-6-1), and Hannah Francis (1-1-0-1) provided brilliant support from the other end with the ball for the White Ferns.
The USA all-rounder Ritu Singh was awarded the Player of the Match for her sensational all-round show. She returned with impressive match figures of 3.5-0-15-5, with the ball in her spell and chipped in with a handy contribution (14 off 15 balls) with the bat for her side.
Note: The 2nd game of Group 2 between England and Nigeria was washed out without a ball being bowled in the Super Six stages of the tournament.

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