T20 series: South Africa U19 team beat Pakistan by 4 wickets

Karachi: South Africa got off to a triumphant start in the University of Lahore presents Rivaj women’s U19 T20 series with a four-wicket win over Pakistan as they chased the 104-run target with 24 balls to spare here at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on Tuesday night.

Left-arm pacer Shahar Bano’s all-round effort comprising two for 16 in three overs with the ball and a fiery seven-ball 18-run cameo at no.7 with the bat went in vain as Pakistan fought hard.

Bano first entered the fray with Pakistan 82-5 and thumped two fours and a six while batting right-handed and with the ball she removed Chanel Venter and Miya Lalor (14, 11b, 1×4, 1×6) after South Africa went from 78-3 to 94-5.

Player of the match Venter starred with a 32-ball 41 hitting three fours and two sixes as she steered South Africa’s chase along with her opening partner Chris-Mari Bezuidenhout (22, 20b, 4x4s) as the duo shared a 47-run stand.

Left-arm spinner Maham Nazakat, in her maiden appearance for Pakistan women’s U19, made immediate impact in her first over – the seventh of the innings – as it yielded two wickets and four runs. Bezuidenhout was run-out by Aqsa Habib, while Maham trapped Makwana Moriri leg-before.

Another run-out by off-spinner Memoona Khalid in her follow-through led to South African skipper Mieke van Voorst falling for a tw0-ball duck. Though South Africa were cruising, Pakistan bowlers still managed to apply some pressure with Bano striking twice, while Maham returned to castle no.7 Ashleigh van Wyk with a superb ball for a duck.