Canada U19 Women Win First-Ever International Match on Inaugural Tour of Trinidad & Tobago

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad & Tobago — Cricket Canada’s U19 Women’s team recorded the program’s first-ever international victory on Saturday, May 16, 2026, defeating Trinidad & Tobago U19 by 10 runs in the second of two T20 matches played on the opening day of Canada’s inaugural women’s U19 overseas tour. The win is a meaningful milestone for a national program that Cricket Canada has worked to build over a number of years through sustained investment in coaching, competition structures, and development pathways for women and girls across the country.

The day began with a challenging morning fixture in which Trinidad posted 195/6 and Canada’s reply was halted by rain at 69/1 from 12 overs, resulting in a 36-run defeat on the Duckworth-Lewis method. In the afternoon, Canada batted first to set 96/7 and then bowled Trinidad out for 86 in 18 overs to take the second match by 10 runs. Six different bowlers took wickets and four run-outs reflected strong fielding throughout, with the team showing good composure to close out the win.

“This win is a powerful reflection of our girls’ courage, talent, and belief — they are shaping the future of the game and inspiring the next generation to dream bigger and aim higher. After a tough morning, to come out in the afternoon and bowl out a strong Trinidad side inside 18 overs tells you everything about the character in this group. What makes this even more special is knowing how much work went into getting here — the national championships, the investment in this program, and the belief from Cricket Canada that women’s cricket in this country deserves a real pathway. Today is proof that it does.”— Habeeba Bader, Women’s Director, Cricket Canada, on tour with the team in Trinidad

A PROGRAM BUILT FROM THE GROUND UP
Saturday’s result is the product of a deliberate and sustained effort by Cricket Canada to establish a credible national women’s U19 program. Recognising that a pathway had to be built before it could be travelled, Cricket Canada organised and staged a national U19 Women’s Championship in both 2024 and 2025 — two consecutive years of national competition that gave young female cricketers across the country a genuine stage to perform and develop. Those championships were not just developmental exercises; they were a demonstration to the ICC that Canada had the infrastructure, participation base, and organizational commitment to support a national team at this level.

That commitment was recognised. Cricket Canada was formally awarded ICC status for a women’s U19 national team, opening the door to international competition and tours such as this one. The Trinidad & Tobago tour is the first time that team has taken the field internationally — a direct result of the groundwork laid over the past two years. It is an outcome that reflects well on the federation’s approach: building competition structures first, then fielding a team ready to compete.

The 14-member touring squad, captained by Rabbjyot Rajput, was selected through that national program and travels under the guidance of Head Coach Azib Hanif and Assistant Coach Jay Nayakwade. The 12-match schedule — including games against T&T U19, the UWI Women’s team, and North Zone Cricket Academy — is designed to give the squad competitive depth ahead of hosting the ICC U19 Girls’ Americas Region World Cup Qualifiers in Canada from August 7–17, 2026.

The squad arrived in Trinidad well prepared. Players completed a high-performance indoor training program from January through May, capped by a dedicated preparatory camp in March ahead of the tour. The Caribbean leg of their preparation is designed to complete that transition — moving from controlled indoor conditions to outdoor match play in a demanding environment. Playing competitive cricket in Trinidad gives the squad exposure to varied game scenarios and the experience of performing under real pressure, both of which are essential to the development of any high-performance program.

MATCH SUMMARIES — MAY 16, 2026

Match 1 — T&T U19 Won by 36 Runs (D/L Method) | Morning Fixture
Canada opted to bowl first and faced a formidable T&T top order. Opener Samara Ramnath retired out for a stunning 77 off 44 balls (8 fours, 4 sixes), while Amrita Ramtahal compiled a patient and destructive 54 off 49 deliveries. The pair put on a massive 160-run opening partnership before Trinidad accelerated in the final overs. A late cameo from Seraiah Kawalsingh (22 off 12) helped T&T to an imposing 195/6.

Canada’s reply began steadily, with Harper Chalmers (18 off 25) and Vritti Dahiya (24 not out off 33) building a 57-run opening partnership. However, rain intervened at the end of the 12th over with Canada on 69/1. The Duckworth-Lewis method gave the match to Trinidad by 36 runs. Vritti Dahiya was Canada’s standout bowler in the first innings, returning 2/20 from four tidy overs.

Result: T&T U19 won by 36 runs (D/L Method)
T&T U19: 195/6 (20 overs) — Samara Ramnath 77 (44), Amrita Ramtahal 54 (49), Seraiah Kawalsingh 22 (12)
Canada U19: 69/1 (12 overs) — Harper Chalmers 18 (25), Vritti Dahiya 24* (33), Namrit Dhillon 7* (14)
Best bowling (Canada): Vritti Dahiya 2/20 (4 overs), Harper Chalmers 1/28 (4 overs), Rameen Rashid 1/16 (2 overs)

Match 2 — Canada U19 Won by 10 Runs | Afternoon Fixture — HISTORIC FIRST VICTORY
Canada batted first and were tested by a disciplined T&T bowling attack. Vritti Dahiya anchored the innings magnificently, top scoring with an unbeaten 37 off 49 balls and refusing to throw her wicket away even as wickets tumbled around her. Rameen Rashid contributed a brisk 8 off 15, and Sanjana Rao provided a late boost with 8 not out off just 7 balls, finishing at a strike rate of 114. Canada posted 96/7 from their 20 overs — a competitive total on a tricky surface.

Canada’s bowlers then produced a collective masterclass to bowl Trinidad out for 86 inside 18 overs, sealing a 10-run win. Snigdha Malhotra was the pick of the attack with 2/14 from four economical overs. Namrit Dhillon (1/11 from 3) and Vritti Dahiya (1/13 from 3) provided excellent support, while Harper Chalmers and Shreya Vora also chipped in with key wickets. T&T’s most dangerous batter Zakiyah Harrilal top-scored with 29 from 27, but Canada’s fielding and bowling discipline kept her at bay. A succession of run-outs — including dismissals by Hasini Santhoshkumar, Namrit Dhillon, Sanjana Rao, and Vritti Dahiya — underlined the energy and sharpness Canada brought in the field.

Result: Canada U19 won by 10 runs
Canada U19: 96/7 (20 overs) — Vritti Dahiya 37* (49), Rameen Rashid 8 (15), Sanjana Rao 8* (7)
T&T U19: 86/10 (18 overs) — Zakiyah Harrilal 29 (27), Krissy Amarsingh 17 (21), Niel Jules 13 (11)
Best bowling (Canada): Snigdha Malhotra 2/14 (4 overs), Namrit Dhillon 1/11 (3 overs), Vritti Dahiya 1/13 (3 overs), Harper Chalmers 1/22 (4 overs)

ABOUT THE TOUR
The Canada U19 Women’s Tour of Trinidad & Tobago is a 12-match program running through May 2026, featuring games against T&T U19 and leading regional club sides including the UWI Women’s team and North Zone Cricket Academy. The tour is a core pillar of Cricket Canada’s preparation for hosting the ICC U19 Girls’ Americas Region World Cup Qualifiers (August 7–17, 2026).

TOURING SQUAD
Rabbjyot Rajput (C), Vritti Dahiya, Khadeeja Fatima (Wk), Elyssa Sun, Snigdha Malhotra, Harper Chalmers, Hasini Santhoshkumar, Maren Couch, Prakriti Jaiswal, Neha Teny, Rameen Rashid, Sanjana Rao, Shreya Vora, Namrit Dhillon
Head Coach: Azib Hanif | Assistant Coach: Jay Nayakwade | Team Chiropractor: Aditi Ganesh
Program Director: Habeeba Bader

Media Contact
media@cricketcanada.org