Nigeria’s Junior Yellow Greens are setting their sights on a crucial ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup clash against New Zealand after their much-anticipated tournament opener against Samoa was abandoned due to an unplayable wet outfield.

The Group C match, scheduled for Saturday at the Borneo Cricket Ground in Sarawak, Malaysia, saw both teams share points without a single ball being bowled.

The Nigerian team will now face New Zealand in their next game on Monday, January 20, while Samoa takes on group leaders South Africa.

Despite the disappointing start, Nigeria’s head coach, Sarah Bakhita, maintained a positive outlook.

“The game is not the outcome we anticipated. However, we control the controllable. We look forward to the next match. We are playing cricket, not a certain team.”

“Moving on to the next game, we go hard, knowing what is at stake. The goal is to qualify for the semifinal first, ensuring we give our best,” Bakhita said.

Captain Lucky Piety also highlighted the significance of earning a point from the abandoned game.

“A point is a point and is taken as huge progress,” she said.

Group C Standings and the Road Ahead

South Africa currently tops Group C with two points after defeating New Zealand by 22 runs.

Nigeria and Samoa are tied with one point each, while New Zealand is yet to register a point.

The Junior Yellow Greens are eager to build on their momentum from the qualifiers and warm-up matches.

Their standout performances, including a seven-wicket win over Scotland, have positioned them as formidable debutants in the tournament.

Victory Igbinedion, a star batter, and Lillian Udeh, who shone during the qualifiers with multiple Player of the Match awards, will be key players to watch as Nigeria aims to secure a spot in the semifinals.

New Zealand’s Challenge

New Zealand, a returning team from the inaugural edition in 2023, will look to recover from their opening loss to South Africa.

Their squad includes promising talents like Georgia Plimmer, who excelled in the previous edition and has since made her mark in the senior White Ferns side.

The match on Monday promises to be a decisive moment for both teams as they chase their first win of the tournament.

Tournament Highlights So Far

Other matches in the tournament have also seen mixed outcomes.

Australia impressed with a dominant win over Scotland, while England’s clash with Ireland was abandoned due to rain.

Bangladesh secured a five-wicket victory against Nepal, and the game between Pakistan and the United States was also abandoned.

As the tournament progresses, all eyes are on Group C, where two debutant teams—Nigeria and Samoa—hope to challenge experienced sides like New Zealand and South Africa for a place in the Super Six stage.