Pakistan Beats Nigeria in First U19 Women’s T20 Warm-Up Match

BANGI: Pakistan emerged victorious in their opening warm-up match at the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup in Malaysia on Sunday, defeating Nigeria in a contest marked by a strong middle-order performance and a late collapse from the Nigerian side.

Pakistan posted a total of 105 runs in their innings, despite an early setback where captain Komal Khan was dismissed for a golden duck, bowled by Peace Usen after hitting a boundary on the first ball of the match. However, Ravail Farhan and Fatima Khan steadied the innings, putting together a solid partnership. Farhan made 23 runs off 37 balls, while Fatima contributed 28 runs off 29 balls before being dismissed. Zoofishan Ayyaz was the third-highest scorer for Pakistan with 13 runs from 12 balls.

Nigeria’s response started promisingly, with Victory Igbinedion leading the charge. However, Pakistan’s bowlers applied pressure, and Nigeria lost their first wicket in the eighth over, with Quratulain dismissing Christabel Chukwuonye for 14 runs. The middle overs saw a series of dot balls, which mounted pressure on Nigeria, and Igbinedion was dismissed in the 18th over, caught by Zoofishan Ayyaz off a delivery from Quratulain. Adeshola Adekunle also retired hurt at the end of the 16th over, adding to Nigeria’s struggles.

The Nigerian batting collapsed in the final overs, with two crucial run-outs, including Peculiar Agboya and Piety Lucky, further derailing their chase. Fatima Khan wrapped up the match with a wicket in the last over, dismissing Anointed Akhigbe, caught by Wasifa Hussain.

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Pakistan’s next warm-up match will be against Australia on January 15. They will kick off the official tournament on January 18, facing the United States in Johor, followed by matches against England on January 20 and Ireland on January 22. The knockout stages will begin on January 24.