New Zealand kept their hopes of progressing to the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup 2025 alive with an 18-run win over USA in the opening match of the Super Six stage.
The Kiwis looked in trouble after being bowled out for 98 in Kuala Lumpur as Ritu Singh produced a brilliant performance to finish with fine figures of five for 15.
The chase looked in a good shape but after Disha Dhingra fell for 30, New Zealand’s slow bowlers were able to stifle the scoring and bowled the USA out for 79.
In the other early game in Borneo, rain meant that there was no play possible between England and Nigeria, with both teams taking a point from the game.
Singh has New Zealand in a spin
After they were put in to bat by the USA, New Zealand got off to a flying start, with openers Emma McLeod and Kate Irwin hitting three boundaries apiece in an opening stand of 32.
Singh broke the deadlock, removing Irwin caught and bowled off the final delivery of her first over for 15 before McLeod fell for the same score, trapped in front by Lekha Shetty.
It was Singh’s spell that changed the innings, as she dismissed Anika Todd and Eve Wolland in her next over with Maahi Madhavan then bowling a wicket maiden during which she got the prize wicket of New Zealand skipper Tash Wakelin LBW.
At 43 for five, New Zealand needed a response, and Hannah Francis provided it, even though she soon lost Anika Tauwhare.
Francis and Rishika Jaswal put on a valuable partnership of 44, both playing patiently, aware of the situation of the game.
That stand was broken by Chetnaa G Prasad, who had Francis stumped by Anika Kolan for 25, with Prasad then catching Jaswal off the bowling of Aditi Chudasama for 17.
Singh returned to bowl the final over of the match and wrapped up the New Zealand innings with the last two wickets to finish with stunning figures of five for 15.
Kiwis bring it back to stay alive
Dhingra set USA on their way with nine runs from the first over of the chase but a fine delivery from Sophie Court got through the defences of Chetna Reddy Pagydyala for a duck.
Isani Vaghela joined Dhingra and the pair quickly added 15 runs before Vaghela was bowled by Louisa Kotkamp for six.
Dhingra showed a lot of intent, with three fours and a six in her 24-ball 30 as she threatened to take the game away from New Zealand.
However, she went for one shot too many, picking out Wakelin at long off to give Tauwhare her first wicket.
Jaswal then got the crucial wicket of Kolan, caught and bowled for three, to bring Singh to the crease.
After starring with the ball, she attacked with the bat, hitting a quickfire 14, but after getting a life from a dropped catch, she was run out after a mix-up in the middle, leaving USA on 66 for five.
From there, New Zealand seized control as Jaswal and then two wickets in an over from Irwin saw the USA slump to 74 for eight with five overs remaining.
Francis then bowled a maiden, with Saanvi Immadi run out to leave the final pair with a big job to do.
They could not do it, Francis getting the final wicket of Madhavan to seal the win.
Scores in brief
New Zealand v USA – UKM YSD Oval, Kuala Lumpur
New Zealand 97 all out in 19.5 overs (Hannah Francis 25, Rishka Jaswal 17; Ritu Singh 5/15, Maahi Madhavan 1/1)
USA 79 all out in 17 overs (Disha Dhingra 30, Aditi Chadusama 15; Rishka Jaswal 2/14, Kate Irwin 2/15)
Result – New Zealand won by 18 runs
England v Nigeria – Borneo Cricket Ground, Sarawak
Result: Match abandoned without a ball bowled
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Sport Trivia: The Molokai Challenge is considered the world championship of solo ocean paddling. How many successive times did Oscar Chalupsky win in the 1980s? Answer: 7 by winning all events from 1983 to 1989.
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Rain and bad light are the two most common causes for pausing or suspending the game.