Samoa’s young cricketers have scripted history once more, storming into the 2026 ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup by winning the East Asia-Pacific Qualifier without dropping a game. Under Olive Lefaga Lemo’s leadership in Port Moresby, the team dismantled opponents with bat and ball, culminating in a commanding final against Fiji.
Batting first, Samoa racked up 131, powered by Avetia Mapu’s explosive 67—complete with five boundaries and two maximums. Fiji never recovered, skittled for 72 as Waola Gabriel’s 4/19 and Hardia Padda’s 2/9 tore through their lineup.
Earlier highlights included a 58-run demolition of Vanuatu and a 53-run rout of Indonesia. Against PNG, despite folding for 58, Samoa’s bowlers—Padda (4/9) and Gabriel (4/7)—bundled them out for 48, turning defeat into victory.
Building on their groundbreaking 2024 qualification—the first ever for Samoa in any World Cup format—this repeat success underscores their rise. As pioneers from the Pacific, they aim to claim a maiden World Cup win in 2026, while Asia’s qualifier promises the next qualifier.
