Women's Under-19 World Cup wrap: Rwanda upset West Indies, India win

The Cricketer reports on events at the ICC Women's Under-19 World Cup in South Africa

The inaugural edition of the Under-19s Women's T20 World Cup is underway in South Africa, two years after originally planned. Today was the second day of the Super 6 stage, with two matches matches taking place.

Sixteen teams are taking part in the 2023 edition, split across four groups of four. Following a single round-robin, the top three teams in each group will progress into the Super 6 stage, from which the top two sides in Group 1 and Group 2 will advance to the semi-finals.

The final will take place in Potchefstroom on Sunday, January 29.

^{Parshavi Chopra picked up 4 for 5 for India against Sri Lanka [ICC]}

Sri Lanka 59-9, India 60-3 - India won by seven wickets

India kept their hopes of progressing to the semi-finals alive with a resounding seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka.

Led by Soumya Tiwari's 15-ball 28, India chased down 60 in just 7.2 overs. Shafali Verma also made a brisk contribution, scoring 15 runs from 10 balls at the top of the order while Dewmi Vihanga (3 for 34) picked up three wickets in vain.

Earlier, Sri Lanka's batters had no answer to India's bowling, mustering just 59 runs from their 20 overs. Vishmi Gunaratne (25) and Umaya Rathnayake (13) were the only players to reach double figures while Parshavi Chopra excelled with the ball, taking 4 for 5 from her four overs.

The result moves India to the top of group 1, with six points and a healthy net run rate (2.844). However, they are not yet assured of a place in the last four, with Australia, South Africa and Bangladesh all on four points with one game remaining. Even the UAE could still mathematically qualify. 

As for Sri Lanka, they are out of the hunt for the semi-finals but can still end their tournament on a high against South Africa on Tuesday.

West Indies 70, Rwanda 71-6 - Rwanda won by four wickets

Skipper Gisele Ishimwe anchored Rwanda to a memorable four-wicket win over West Indies, ensuring the African side bowed out of the Under-19s Women's T20 World Cup on a high.

Chasing 70, Ishimwe scored 31 not out off 53 deliveries as her teammates struggled around her, seeing her side over the line in the penultimate over. Jannillea Glasgow, Jahzara Claxton, Ashmini Munisar and Zaida James were the wicket-takers for West Indies.

Earlier, a team bowling effort, led by Marie Tumukunde's 4 for 8, had seen West Indies bowled out for 70 in 16.3 overs.

Sylvia Usabyimana also collected four wickets (4 for 20) while Zurufat Ishimwe (2 for 20), Henriette Ishimwe (0 for 9), and Rosine Irera (0 for 12) were the other bowlers. Realeanna Grimmond (18 off 21) was the only West Indies batter to reach double figures, with no fewer than three players dismissed for nought.

As a result of this defeat, West Indies can no longer progress to the semi-finals.

^{Eyman Fatima is a player to watch for Pakistan [ICC]}

United Arab Emirates v Australia (Potchefstroom - 1.45pm local time, 11.45am GMT)

Australia can put one foot in the semi-finals if they defeat the United Arab Emirates in Potchefstroom. They currently sit second in group 1 with four points - two behind table-topping India. With South Africa and Bangladesh also on four points, net run rate will likely come into the equation so getting above India's 2.844 mark will be on Australia's mind.

Since losing to Bangladesh in their tournament opener, the Aussies have been nearly faultless, recording convincing wins over USA (nine wickets), Sri Lanka (108 runs), and India (seven wickets). Claire Moore has scored a team-leading 105 runs while Kate Pelle, striking at 123.43, is always a threat; Maggie Clark has taken six wickets.

The United Arab Emirates, however, are still in with a chance, albeit it an outside one, of reaching the semi-finals if they can beat Australia and Bangladesh. They lost to India and South Africa in the group stages but did overcome Scotland, completing a six-wicket win in Benoni.

Mahika Gaur is the UAE's leading run-scorer with 59 runs at a rate of 113.46 while Indhuja Nandakumar and Vaishnave Mahesh have taken a combined nine wickets.

Pakistan v Ireland (Potchefstroom - 1.45pm local time, 11.45am GMT)

Only three teams from group 2 remain in contention for the semi-finals, with England, New Zealand and Pakistan battling it out for just two spots.

Both England and New Zealand won their opening games of the Super 6 and are locked together on six points. Pakistan will begin their Super 6 campaign against Ireland on Monday but must win both that match and their clash with New Zealand to have a chance of reaching the semi-finals.

In the first round, they defeated Rwanda (eight wickets) and Zimbabwe (10 wickets) but suffered a 53-run defeat against England. Eyman Fatima has scored a team-leading 132 runs, including two half-centuries, while Anosha Nasir and Areesha Noor Bhatti have five wickets apiece. 

Ireland, meanwhile, have already been eliminated after losing to England by 121 runs. Zara Craig and Georgina Dempsey have been Ireland's standout batters, both scoring half-centuries, while Aimee Maguire and Freya Sargent have taken three wickets apiece.