New Zealand completes unlikely comeback in nail-biting Super Six showdown with USA at U19WC 2025
What a way to kick off the Super Sixes the Women's U19 World Cup in Malaysia. Here's the what happened.
Plot twist.
New Zealand has come from behind to stun USA, kicking off the World Cup's Super Six stage in dramatic fashion.
Just 12 of 16 teams remain at the ICC Women's U19 World Cup, with just four moving onto the Semis, making every remaining match increasingly vital.
Here's a summary of what went down in the early window of action on day eight of the tournament, including highlights and Match Centres.
USA v NEW ZEALAND, MATCH CENTRE
New Zealand beat USA by 18 runs in Bangi.
ENGLAND v NIGERIA, MATCH CENTRE
Match abandoned in Sarawak.
The moment New Zealand completed an incredible comeback against USA | U19WC2025
New Zealand dig deep to pull off comeback win
New Zealand have stunned USA in Bangi, successfully defending 97 when it seemed implausible for most of the second innings.
The slow bowlers, led by leg-spin talent Rishika Jaswal, pulled off the seemingly impossible, grinding USA's run chase to a hault and triggering a batting collapse.
After a feeling of confidence in their sheds, the United States was dismissed all out for 79, 18 runs shy of New Zealand's first innings total.
USA's superb effort in the field placed them in a prime position to start their Super Six campaign with a win.
New Zealand's top order made it into the 30s without the loss of a wicket, but that's when their fortunes shifted.
The first dismissal set off a run of five wickets for just 12 runs, including a marvellous in-swinging yorker from Lekha Shetty and a Ritu Singh off-breaker that turned sharply to bowl dangerous hitter Eve Wolland.
Singh stunned with the ball, taking 5-for-15 from her four overs to edge Jaswal for Player of the Match honours.
Hannah Francis' 25 off 33, along with Jaswal's 17 off 27, ensured New Zealand had something to defend, with the side eventually finishing all out for 97 in the final over.
USA opener Disha Dhingra (30 off 24) had her team on track to ease to victory, before Jaswal and Kate Irwin took over, finishing with match-winning economy and two wickets each.
At fourth and fifth in Super Six Group 2, respectively, the USA and New Zealand are now both under pressure and likely needing to win-out to progress to the Semis.
HOW THEY PLACE: WOMEN'S U19 WORLD CUP 2025 STANDINGS
WATCH: Ritu Singh produces mind-blowing off-spinner
USA's Ritu Singh removes the very dangerous Eve Wolland with an amazing off-spinner.
Match abandoned in Sarawak
Nigeria and England will have to share the points, after the wet weather in Sarawak failed to ease.
Competition debutants Nigeria did an extraordinary job picking up a group stage win over New Zealand to ensure Super Six qualification, their first in Women's U19 World Cup history. The Nigerians will hope rain doesn't interfere with their next scheduled match, taking on Ireland in Bangi on Tuesday, which will be a must-win for both teams.
England, meantime, are next in action against New Zealand in Sarawak on Sunday, looking to maintain control of their Semis destiny.