Pakistan win fourth Youth T20I to set up series decider against SA U19 Women

The five-match Youth T20 International (T20I) series will go down to the wire after the Pakistan Under-19 Women claimed a six-wicket victory over the South Africa Under-19 Women in Karachi on Wednesday, levelling the series at 2-2.

Pakistan successfully chased down the target of 110 after restricting South Africa to 109/8 in their 20 overs. An unbeaten partnership of 70 runs between Zoofishan Ayyaz (44*) and Fizza Fiaz (28) propelled the hosts to victory after a superb spell of bowling from spinner Respect Mabasa (3/25) had threatened their innings.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first. Opener Chanel Venter (1) fell to Rozina Akram (2/21) in the second over before Shreeya Subbiah (30) and Diedre van Rensburg (23) guided South Africa to 35/1 at the end of the PowerPlay. Van Rensburg departed three balls later, dismissed by Mah Noor (1/24).

Subbiah then combined with captain Mieke van Voorst (14) in a crucial 33-run partnership for the third wicket before Akram struck again in the 13th over to remove Subbiah. Van Voorst was then run out later in the same over.

With Pakistan continuing to apply pressure by claiming wickets at key moments, Chris-Mari Bezuidenhout (23*) anchored the closing stages of the innings as the SA U19 Women reached 109/8 from their 20 overs.

Mahnoor Zeb (2/18), Shahar Bano (1/24) and Ayyaz (1/6) were the other wicket-takers for Pakistan.

Chasing 110 to level the series, Pakistan made a measured start, with openers Komal Khan (15) and Ravail Farhan (18) keeping the South African bowlers at bay to reach 21/0 after six overs.

South Africa made the breakthrough in the eighth over through Mabasa, who dismissed Farhan. The visitors struck again in the 10th over, with Van Voorst (1/10) bowling Khan. Mabasa followed up with two quick wickets, removing Aqsa Habib (2) and Areesha Ansari (0) with consecutive deliveries to reduce Pakistan to 43/4 in the 11th over.

Tasked with rescuing the innings for the home side, Ayyaz and captain Fiaz put together a match-winning, unbeaten partnership to guide Pakistan over the line with four balls to spare and level the series at 2-2.

The fifth and deciding Youth T20I will take place on Friday from 7pm local time (4pm SAST) and will be broadcast live on the Pakistan Cricket Board's YouTube channel.

SA U19 Women’s Squad

Mieke van Voorst (captain, Easterns), Chris-Mari Bezuidenhout (Mpumalanga), Daneli Boshoff (Boland), Jae-Leigh Filander (Western Province), Reabetswe Dithupe (North West), Miya Lalor (Western Province), Respect Mabasa (Limpopo), Ziya Mohanlall (KwaZulu-Natal Coastal), Makwana Moriri (Central Gauteng Lions), Lungile Ngcobo (KwaZulu-Natal Coastal), Melissa van der Merwe (Boland), Diedre van Rensburg (North West), Ashleigh van Wyk (Easterns), Chanel Venter (Titans) and Nobubelebesisa Zwane (KwaZulu-Natal Coastal). 

Fixtures and Results

Tuesday, 14 July (5pm)

First Youth T20I (National Stadium, Karachi) - SA won by four wickets

Friday, 17 July (5pm)

Second Youth T20I (National Stadium, Karachi) - Pakistan won by 47 runs

Sunday, 19 July (5pm)

Third Youth T20I (National Stadium, Karachi) - SA won by 52 runs

Wednesday, 22 July (4pm)

Fourth Youth T20I (National Stadium, Karachi) - Pakistan won by six wickets

Friday, 24 July (4pm)

Fifth Youth T20I (National Stadium, Karachi)