Four teams will make their debut this weekend at the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025.
The tournament begins with two debutants squaring off as Nigeria and Samoa meet in Sarawak on Saturday, while Nepal also begin their campaign on 18 January when they face Bangladesh.
Hosts Malaysia will be the last of the quartet to get their campaign underway on Sunday.
Meet the fantastic four below:
Malaysia
Malaysia qualified for the 2025 edition of the tournament as hosts, having failed to make it to South Africa two years ago.
Malaysia’s debut came in the qualifiers for the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2023, where they won two matches.
Their first-ever win came against Qatar in June 2022, as former captain Elsa Hunter top-scored with 42 to set Qatar 116 to win.
In response, they posted 88 for three with all three of Qatar’s dismissals coming by way of run out, with current skipper Nur Dania Syuhada involved in the first wicket.
Remarkably, Syuhada already had senior international experience prior to playing for the U19s team and will now lead her side on home soil for a second time.
The off-spinner was captain as Malaysia hosted the inaugural U19 Women’s Asia Cup last year.
They finished in fifth place with defeats to Sri Lanka and eventual runners-up Bangladesh before a washout against Pakistan ended their hopes of finishing the tournament on a high.
A rematch against Sri Lanka opens Malaysia’s tournament on Sunday before they play defending champions India and the West Indies during the group stages.
Nepal
There is something about Nepal and dramatic qualifications.
The men’s team secured a place at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in stunning fashion and the U19 women’s team have followed their lead.
Nepal were the final team to book their place at the tournament and went into their last qualifying game needing to beat the previously undefeated UAE and move above their net run rate.
Krishma Gurung took four wickets to see her side set a target of 88 runs to win, and with run rate so important, Nepal chased down the total in just 14.4 overs to secure qualification.
This was Nepal’s second attempt at qualifying for the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup having missed out to the UAE three years ago.
Nepal beat Qatar, Bhutan and Malaysia, but defeats to Thailand and the UAE ended their hopes of making the tournament in South Africa.
All-rounder Puja Mahato will lead the team, having first skippered her side at the 2024 U19 Asia Cup.
Nepal begin their World Cup campaign against Bangladesh, before taking on Scotland and Australia in a group that will pose many different challenges.
Nigeria
Nigeria have come a long way since missing out on qualification for the 2023 World Cup.
Two big wins were not enough to see them through to the knockout stages of the Africa Qualifiers, as Rwanda took the spot in the inaugural edition.
This time around, Nigeria beat Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Malawi to make the semi-finals before a 62-run win over Rwanda saw them advance to showpiece against Zimbabwe.
Rain prevented the final from being complete, meaning Nigeria advance to the World Cup as a result of finishing above Zimbabwe in the group stages.
Lucky Piety will captain Nigeria in Malaysia, having already represented the international side.
She will lead the team in their opening match against Samoa, before facing 2023 semi-finalists New Zealand, and the 2023 hosts South Africa.
Samoa
Samoa are making more than just U19 history as they become the first team from their nation to compete in any cricket World Cup.
More known for their exploits in rugby, Samoa will look to show what they have got with a cricket ball.
They qualified for the World Cup after triumphing in the East Asia-Pacific Qualifier, their first-ever competition.
Remarkably, Samoa lost only once, to Papua New Guinea, as they topped the table with five wins.
They clinched their spot at the World Cup with a four-wicket win over Fiji with Angel Sootaga top-scoring with 29 runs.
Sootaga will look to carry that form to the World Cup stage while Silepea Polataivao, who took six for 15 against Indonesia in the qualifiers, has also been selected in Samoa’s squad.
After meeting Nigeria in their first game, Samoa will face South Africa and then New Zealand in their debut tournament.
Twiddle Twix
The 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan marked the first time the tournament was held in Asia, reflecting the sport’s growing global appeal. The competition featured 20 teams, with South Africa emerging as the champions after defeating England in the final. The next Rugby World Cup is scheduled for 2023 in France.
Screwtape
Brian O’Driscoll, an Irish rugby legend, scored a record 46 tries in the Six Nations Championship and held the record for the most international appearances as captain (83) until being surpassed by Richie McCaw.