Nigeria to face Pakistan in warm-up ahead of women’s U-19 cricket World Cup

Junior Yellow-Greens, the Nigerian Under 19 women’s cricket team, will meet Pakistan in a test match on Monday ahead of the tournament that begins on January 18 in Malaysia.

Nigeria are in group C with Samoa, New Zealand, and South Africa. The country is debuting at the World Cup as the sole qualifier from the African Qualifying series held last October in Kigali, Rwanda. The Junior Yellow-Greens edged highly rated Zimbabwe and Uganda to pick the spot.

Piety Lucky, Junior Yellow-Greens captain, who will lead her team to face Samoa, ranked eighth team in the world on the T20 log where they are ranked 26th, said the team is ready to make a good impression.

“I think at this stage our confidence is high and we don’t feel it’s our maiden appearance any more,” Lucky said.

On his part, Uyi Akpata, president of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), said on Sunday that the World Cup would prove a milestone for cricket in Nigeria.

“The girls have been at different camp sessions since they qualified in October and they have just concluded in India before heading to Malaysia. I believe the exposure will enhance their performance,” Akpata said.

“We commend the leadership of the National Sports Commission for their support and encouragement in ensuring that the team had a seamless World Cup plan.”

The International Cricket Council (ICC) Women Under-19 T20 World Cup will run from January 18 to February 2.