South Africa secured the five-match U19 T20 series by a margin of 3-2 after they beat Pakistan by 17 runs on Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) in the rain-hit series decider here at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi on Friday night. Pakistan had set a 129-run target, while South Africa raced to 44 for no loss in 5.4 overs before the rain arrived.
Pakistan won the second and fourth T20 of the series by 47 runs and six wickets, respectively with various players showcasing their skills. Opening batter Ravail Farhan finished the series with most runs (119) besides Zoofishan Ayyaz (112), while four players – Maham Nazakat, Ashleigh van Wyk, Mahnoor Zeb and Miya Lalor – were tied at the top of bowling charts with six wickets.
On Friday, player of the match Lalor was promoted to open the batting with Diedre van Rensburg (18, 17b, 3x4s) and made a valuable contribution of 22 off 17 balls hitting three fours. Earlier, Lalor had also accounted for Pakistan skipper in the 18th over of the innings, for a duck.
Pakistan opted to bat first in the series decider and the opening duo of Ravail (32, 34b, 5x4s) and Komal Khan (21, 20b, 3x4s, 1×6) added 48 runs in 7.3 overs. Pakistan then promoted Shahar Bano to no.3 and she starred by hitting three sixes and two fours in a 19-ball 30-run outing.
With Bano’s departure, Pakistan were 85-2 in 12 overs and from that point onwards South Africa made a comeback with the ball giving 43 runs in the last eight overs for four wickets. Previous game’s player of the match Zoofishan Ayyaz could only add 18 runs to the total with the help of a six and a four.
Leg-spinner Van Wyk got rid of Bano and Zoofishan, while Daneli Boshoff removed Areesha Ansari. No.5 batter Aqsa Habib remained unbeaten for 23 off 22 balls with the help of two fours as Pakistan finished with 128-6 in 20 overs.
For South Africa, Boshoff and and Van Wyk picked up two wickets each. Lalor and Melissa van der Merwe had one each to their name. South Africa captain Mieke van Voorst was named player of the series for her 87 runs in the series including a match-winning fifty in the third T20.
Scores in brief
T20 series – Match 5 of 5 – South Africa women U19 beat Pakistan women U19 by 17 runs (DLS) at National Bank Stadium, Karachi
Pakistan 128-6, 20 overs (Ravail Farhan 32, Shahar Bano 30, Aqsa Habib 23 not out, Komal Khan 21; Daneli Boshoff 2-18, Ashleigh van Wyk 2-22)
South Africa 44-0, 5.4 overs (Miya Lalor 22 not out, Diedre van Rensburg 18 not out)
Player of the match – Miya Lalor (South Africa women U19)
Player of the series – Mieke van Voorst (South Africa women U19)
Women’s U19 series schedule (All matches at National Bank Stadium):
14 July – South Africa won by four wickets
17 July – Pakistan won by 47 runs
19 July – South Africa won by 52 runs
22 July – Pakistan won by six wickets
24 July – South Africa won by 17 runs (DLS)
