Ireland U19 Women’s Team Triumphs in Dramatic Finish
Table of Contents
- 1. Ireland U19 Women’s Team Triumphs in Dramatic Finish
- 2. Match Summary:
- 3. How did Niamh MacNulty’s leadership style contribute to the Ireland U19 women’s cricket team’s success?
- 4. Captain Niamh MacNulty on Ireland U19 Women’s Triumph: “We Never Give Up!”
- 5. A Chat with the Inspiring Leader Behind Ireland’s Thrilling Victory
- 6. Congratulations on the win, Niamh! Ireland’s Under 19 women have certainly made their mark at this World Cup. What would you attribute your team’s success to?
- 7. You won the toss and chose to bat first. Was that a strategic decision considering the shortened match?
- 8. Alice Walsh’s batting was exceptional. How has she developed as a player as you started leading the team?
- 9. Pakistan’s chase was faltering, but they were knocking on the door. What was going through your mind when their score was ticking over?
- 10. What message do you have for young girls watching the sport and aspiring to follow in your team’s footsteps?
- 11. looking ahead, what are your hopes and expectations for the super Sixes round?
In a heart-stopping clash at the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia, Ireland’s Under 19 women’s cricket team snatched a thrilling victory over Pakistan, securing their spot in the Super Sixes. The pressure was on for both teams, with Pakistan needing a win to advance alongside England and the USA, despite a previous loss and a washout.
Ireland, led by Captain Niamh MacNulty, won the toss for the third consecutive match and chose to bat first. From the get-go, thay showcased an aggressive approach. Alice Walsh made an immediate impact, smashing a boundary off the very first ball. she and Freya Sargent forged a strong partnership, putting pakistan on the back foot. Unluckily, a heavy downpour after just four overs forced a lengthy delay, casting doubt on the match’s future.
When play resumed, the match was shortened to nine overs per side, with a three-over powerplay and a maximum of two overs per bowler.Alice Walsh continued to excel, guiding her team through the challenging conditions, racking up 31 runs off 19 balls before she was dismissed in the seventh over. Despite losing momentum, Ireland managed to post a competitive total of 69 runs for the loss of five wickets. Adjustments to the target were made for Pakistan due to the whether disruptions using the duckworth-Lewis-Stern method, setting the stage for an exciting finish.
The initial stage of the chase saw Pakistan struggle against Ireland’s bowlers. however, turning point arrived when Fatima Khan was run out in the third over. Freya Sargent then struck with a brilliant delivery that dismissed Zoofishan Ayyaz. Further run outs in the following over ratcheted up the pressure on Pakistan. At 34-4, their hopes seemed to dwindle. Though, a stellar bowling performance from Ellie McGee (2-13), Lara McBride (1-10), and Niamh MacNulty (0-4) ensured Ireland’s triumph by 13 runs.
Match Summary:
Ireland v pakistan, ICC U19 Women’s World Cup in Malaysia, 22 January 2025
Ireland 69-5 (9 overs; A Walsh 31; M Khalid 2-6)
Pakistan 59-7 (9 overs; K Khan 12; E McGee 2-13)
Ireland won by 13 runs (DLS method)
How did Niamh MacNulty’s leadership style contribute to the Ireland U19 women’s cricket team’s success?
Captain Niamh MacNulty on Ireland U19 Women’s Triumph: “We Never Give Up!”
A Chat with the Inspiring Leader Behind Ireland’s Thrilling Victory
In the aftermath of their nail-biting win over Pakistan, we caught up with Ireland U19 women’s Cricket Team Captain, Niamh MacNulty, to discuss the team’s incredible triumph and their journey at the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia.
Congratulations on the win, Niamh! Ireland’s Under 19 women have certainly made their mark at this World Cup. What would you attribute your team’s success to?
Niamh: Thank you! I’m incredibly proud of how the team has come together. I think our success comes down to our spirit, resilience, and the fantastic bonding we’ve developed. We’ve got a great mix of talent, determination, and unity, which has definitely played to our advantage.
You won the toss and chose to bat first. Was that a strategic decision considering the shortened match?
Niamh: Yes, absolutely. Given the uncertainty with the weather, we felt it was best to make the most of our batting time if we got to play at all. Our aim was to set a competitive total, and despite the interruption, I believe we did that.
Alice Walsh’s batting was exceptional. How has she developed as a player as you started leading the team?
Niamh: Alice has been phenomenal. She’s grown in confidence and skill over the past year, and she’s become an invaluable asset. Today, she showed great maturity and composure under pressure, which is exactly what we need in knockouts.
Pakistan’s chase was faltering, but they were knocking on the door. What was going through your mind when their score was ticking over?
Niamh: It was tense, of course. But I always had faith in my team. I knew we had fantastic bowlers in our lineup, like Ellie, Lara, and myself, and I trusted their ability to keep pakistan within reach. The run-outs were crucial, but we also had to take our catches and bowl well.
What message do you have for young girls watching the sport and aspiring to follow in your team’s footsteps?
Niamh: I’d say, keep dreaming, keep pushing, and don’t be afraid to take risks. Look at us – we’re here, making history, as we dared to dream big. And remember, no matter what happens, keep that never-give-up attitude alive!
looking ahead, what are your hopes and expectations for the super Sixes round?
Niamh: We’ll take it one match at a time. But we’re in it to win it. we’ve tasted victory, and we want more. We’ll give our best, learn from our mistakes, and fight till the very end.
We’d like to wish Niamh and the Ireland U19 Women’s Cricket Team the best of luck in their Super Sixes campaign!
