New Zealand led by skipper Tash Wakelin emerged victorious by 18 runs in a thrilling edge-of-the-seat, low-scoring thriller against the USA led by skipper Anika Kolan at the UKM-YSD Cricket Oval, Bangi in the first game of the Super Six stages of the ongoing 2nd edition of the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup 2025, in Malaysia.
The 2nd game of Group 2 between England and Nigeria was washed out due to rain and as a result, both sides shared a point each.

Ireland led by skipper Niamh MacNulty was up against South Africa led by skipper Kayla Reyneke in the 3rd game of the group and the 4th match of the Super Six stages of the tournament. We had a delayed start to the game courtesy of persistent showers. The rain gods finally showed some mercy to let the cricketing action begin in the Super Six stage at the Sarawak Cricket Ground, Sarawak. The game at the same venue, earlier in the day was washed out.
The contest was eventually reduced to a 10 overs per side contest. The Ireland skipper Niamh MacNulty won the toss and decided to put the runs on the board. The Irish skipper’s decision eventually backfired as the Proteas bowlers led by Monalisa Legodi (2-0-4-4), and skipper Kayla Reyneke (1.4-1-2-3) steamrolled the Irish batters, sending them packing with just 35 runs on the board with two balls to spare on a spicy wicket.
None of the Ireland batters managed to enter into the double digits. Nthabiseng Nini (2-0-3-1), and Fay Cowling (1-0-9-1) played their part with the ball for South Africa. The Ireland bowlers came out with a spirited fightback as Jennifer Jackson inflicted a double blow removing Jemma Botha and Diara Ramlakan in the first over of the run chase, sending shivers in the Proteas camp.
Skipper Kayla Reyneke joined Simone Lourens at the crease and the duo calmed their nerves in the South Africa camp with a much-needed 28-run partnership for the 3rd wicket. Lara McBride picked up the wicket of the opening batter Simone Lourens (14 off 12 balls) in the 6th over of the run chase to delay the inevitable result, providing the 3rd breakthrough for Ireland.
However, the total was never going to be enough against a red-hot Proteas batting lineup as the skipper Kayla Reyneke (16* off 17 balls) took her side over the line to seal the game by 7 wickets in hand and 23 balls to spare. Jennifer Jackson (2-1-6-2), and Lara McBride (1-0-6-1) were the only wicket-takers with the ball for Ireland.
Monalisa Legodi was awarded the Player of the Match for her exceptional match-defining spell (2-0-4-4) with the ball for her side, playing a pivotal role in setting up another dominant show in the ongoing 2nd edition of the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup 2025, in Malaysia.

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