Karachi (Sports Report): 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, 1x4, 1x6) 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.
South Africa’s wicketkeeper-batter Jae-Leigh Filander remained unbeaten for nine off 19, while Daneli Boshoff hit the winning runs remaining unbeaten for six off seven.
Earlier, Pakistan lost their top three for naught as South Africa hit the ground running. Aqsa Habib (38, 50b, 6x4s) and Zoofishan Ayyaz (30, 40b, 4x4s) then stitched a 61-run fourth-wicket stand doing the repair works. Skipper Fizza Fiaz contributed run-a-ball 14 hitting two fours.
Bano provided the much-needed impetus with her batting as Pakistan crossed the three-figure mark. For South Africa, Leg-spinner Ashleigh van Wyk picked up three for 15, while right-arm pacer Miya Lalor dismissed two batters.
The second T20 will be played at the same venue on Friday, 17 July with the first ball set to be bowled at 7pm PKT. Both the teams will rest on Wednesday.
Scores in brief:
T20 series - Match 1 of 5 – Pakistan women U19 v South Africa women U19 at National Bank Stadium, Karachi
Pakistan 103-6, 20 overs (Aqsa Habib 38, Zoofishan Ayyaz 30, Shahar Bano 18 not out; Ashleigh van Wyk 3-15, Miya Lalor 2-21)
South Africa 104-6, 16 overs (Chanel Venter 41, Chris-Mari Bezuidenhout 22; Shahar Bano 2-16, Maham Nazakat 2-17)
Player of the match – Chanel Venter (South Africa women’s U19)
