Maceira Talks Through Her Box of Tricks

Scotland’s Maisie Maceira created a little bit of history with her five-fer against Nepal.

Not only was it the first five-wicket haul of the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025, but it also helped Scotland to their first group stage win in two editions of the tournament.

A defeat to Australia could have been followed by a narrow loss to Nepal, but Maceira’s bowling exploits proved not to be in vain with nerveless batting from Pippa Sproul and Gabrielle Fontenla.

Maceira had set up Scotland’s victory by taking five for 15 to bowl Nepal out for 73 as the right arm seamer used her variations to devastating effect.

“It is unreal, I never thought it would happen but having everyone back me was incredible so I really just had to be here with the team,” the 19-year-old said.

“I have got a few variations, today I only used some cutters and back-of-the-hand balls.

“I have been using them in training sessions and thought I would incorporate them in my bowling and it worked pretty well.

“It was really unbelievable to be able to do it but I know I had the team behind me and they had my back so I thought I could use all the variations I know how to use, and it seemed to work great.

“We realised that slower balls were working quite a bit, so as well as spin I thought I would bring on some slower balls to try and trick them a little bit.”

Scotland were consistently pegged back by Nepal in their as the dot balls increased as the wickets did.

Pippa Sproul played a patient knock of 35 from 47 to put Scotland in a strong position but Maceira’s dismissal for two left Scotland needing 16 runs with only one wicket remaining.

Gabrielle Fontenla and Kirsty McColl showed no nerves to smartly get Scotland home with eight balls to spare.

Maceira added: “It was insane, we back each other, even though they only need one wicket we have great batters at the end of the order.

“It is a team game, so for me as much as I am proud of myself, I am proud of the team.

“We have come along way, we tried our hardest against Australia two days ago but didn’t come out on top but we definitely tried really hard.

“Today you can see our efforts and in the dugout, it was unbelievable emotions but to be able to run out on the pitch and celebrate with the team was incredible.

“Back in the dugout, we were just trying to reassure each other that there was just one run needed off each ball.

“There wasn’t much that we needed so we didn’t want to go out there and smack it, we wanted to stay cool and calm and I think we did that.”

Scotland round out the group stages with a match against Bangladesh, who have won one and lost one so far.

A win on Wednesday would confirm Scotland’s place in the Super Six for the first time, but a loss could still be enough provided table toppers Australia beat Nepal.