Nigeria’s U-19 women’s cricket team delivered a thrilling performance to secure a dramatic one-run victory over South Africa in a Super Over clash on Matchday 9 of the ongoing Nigeria Invitational T20I Tournament.
In a contest that went down to the wire, the hosts held their nerve after both teams finished tied at 133 runs in regulation play.
South Africa, who opted to bat first, recovered from an early setback of 18/3 in six overs to post a competitive 133/7.
Captain Mieke Van Voorst led the recovery with a composed 69 off 47 balls, while Siphokuhle Masilela added a late 20 runs to bolster the total.
Nigeria’s chase started cautiously, reaching just 47 runs at the halfway stage.
However, captain Lucky Piety turned the game on its head with a sensational innings, blasting 66 off 35 balls, including a decisive 24-run over that brought the hosts level.
With scores tied, the match was decided via a Super Over. Nigeria posted 10 runs without loss, before Amusa Muheebat delivered a disciplined bowling effort to restrict South Africa to 9/1, sealing a memorable victory for the home side.
Piety’s match-winning heroics earned her the Player of the Match award.
In the day’s second fixture, Zimbabwe produced a commanding display to crush Ghana by a record 180-run margin.
Zimbabwe posted a tournament-high 226/2, powered by a breathtaking unbeaten century from Beloved Biza, who scored 102 off just 52 balls. Lorraine Pemhiwa provided strong support with a rapid 60 off 32 deliveries in a dominant batting performance.
Ghana’s reply faltered from the outset, as they were bowled out for just 45 runs in 18.3 overs. Salem Museka starred with the ball, claiming 4/8, while Biza capped a remarkable all-round outing with figures of 3/10.
The emphatic victory now stands as the largest winning margin in the history of the tournament, underlining Zimbabwe’s dominance on the day.
