New Zealand defeated Samoa by 67 runs in the final Group C match of the ICC Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup 2025 at Borneo Cricket Ground in Sarawak, Malaysia on Tuesday, January 22. (More Cricket News)
𒁏Two defeats in two, and New Zealand were on the brink of making an unceremonious first-round exit. The semi-finalists in the inaugural edition in 2023, the Kiwis were handed a 22-run defeat by South Africa in their opener.
🎀But things got complicated following a shock defeat to tournament debutants Nigeria. Chasing a 66-run target in the rain-affected, 13-over game, New Zealand were stopped at 63/6, for a two-run defeat. And they needed to beat Samoa in their final group match.
⛄Asked to set a target, New Zealand once again failed to make an impression with the bat. But a total of 109/9 proved more than enough against score-shy Samoans. Angel Sootaga, with eight runs, was the top scorer in the innings.
☂For New Zealand, skipper Tash Wakelin (3/3) and Rishika Jaswal (3/12) claimed three wickets each while Sophie Court took a brace (2/5). But the star of the match was Wolland. She hit 48 off 43.
♔The win helped New Zealand qualify for the Super Six, and will join South Africa and Nigeria in the next stage. The African rivals meet in the final Group C match.
Playing XIs:
WSMWU19 Playing XIs𝓀:: Norah Jade Salima, Angel Sootaga So (wk), Verra Farane, Olive Lefaga Lemoe, Avetia Fetu Mapu (c), Stella Sagalala, Jane Taliilagi Manase, Stefania Pauga, Barbara Ella Keresoma, Katrina Uiese Taa Samu, Masina Tafea.
NZWU19 Playing XIs🍸: Emma McLeod, Kate Irwin, Kate Chandler, Anika Todd, Eve Wolland, Tash Wakelin (c), Darcy Prasad (wk), Hannah O’Connor, Sophie Court, Rishika Jaswal, Louisa Kotkamp
