The five-match series between Pakistan Women U19 and South Africa Women U19 has lived up to expectations, setting up a winner-takes-all decider at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi. South Africa drew first blood with a four-wicket win in the opener, only for Pakistan to storm back with a convincing 47-run victory in the second game. The visitors regained the lead in the third T20I with a dominant 52-run display, but Pakistan refused to back down, leveling the series 2-2 in the fourth fixture thanks to Zoofishan Ayyaz’s game-changing unbeaten 44 off 29 balls. With both teams trading punches across the first four matches, everything comes down to tomorrow’s clash.
Pakistan head into the finale with wind in their sails after pulling off a tricky run-chase from a precarious 43/4 in the previous game. Captain Fizza Fiaz and Zoofishan showed tremendous poise under pressure, but the hosts know they cannot keep relying on middle-order rescues. The local bowling unit has done plenty of heavy lifting throughout the week, with Mahnoor Zeb and Maham Nazakat frequently breaking partnerships and keeping the scoring rate under control. If the Pakistani top order can build a solid foundation and absorb the initial overs without giving away quick wickets, the home side will feel confident about completing a series turnaround.
For South Africa, the priority tomorrow will be ironing out the middle-order wobbles that cost them in the second and fourth matches. Captain Mieke van Voorst has led from the front with the bat, while Respect Mabasa’s disciplined spells have continually put the Pakistani batters on the back foot. However, the Proteas youth side needs more contributions across the lineup if they are to counter Pakistan’s spin-heavy attack in Karachi conditions. If South Africa can stitch together meaningful partnerships and hold their nerve in the crucial moments, they have every chance of flying home with the trophy.
Squads:
Pakistan U-19
Ravail Farhan, Komal Khan, Raahima Syed, Zoofishan Ayyaz, Aqsa Habib, Fizza Fiaz (c), Mahnoor Zeb, Rozina Akram, Memoona Khalid, Maham Nazakat
South Africa U-19
Chris-Mari Bezuidenhout, Chanel Venter, Mankwana Moriri, Mieke van Voorst (c), Jae-Leigh Filander, Miya Lalor, Ashleigh van Wyk, Danelie Boshoff, Reabetswe Dithupe, Melissa van der Merwe, Respect Mabasa
Players to watch out for :
Zoofishan Ayyaz
Zoofishan Ayyaz was the standout performer with the bat, accumulating 94 runs across 4 innings at an average of 31.33. Staying unbeaten in one match, she recorded a top score of 44* and struck at a crisp 106.81 strike rate. She faced 88 deliveries in total, finding the boundary 13 times along with clearing the rope once for a six
Mieke van Voorst
South Africa’s Mieke van Voorst made a strong impression at the crease, scoring 87 runs across 4 matches with a brisk strike rate of 110.12. Her tournament run featured a solid half-century with a top score of 57, cracking 13 boundaries along the way. Across 79 balls faced, she maintained a 21.75 batting average despite recording one score of zero during the series
Mahnoor Zeb
Leading the attack with the ball, Mahnoor Zeb claimed 6 wickets across 4 matches while sending down a full workload of 16 overs (96 balls). She kept opposition batters in check with an economical rate of 4.81, conceding just 77 runs overall. Her best bowling performance of 3/21 highlights her effectiveness, holding a sharp bowling average of 12.83 and a strike rate of 16.00
Respect Mabasa
Respect Mabasa delivered consistent breakthroughs for South Africa, picking up 5 wickets in 4 innings over 13 overs. She conceded 67 runs while bowling a maiden over, posting her finest spell of the series at 3/25. Maintaining a disciplined 5.15 economy rate, she rounded out her bowling figures with an average of 13.40 and a strike rate of 15.60
Pitch Report:
A flat, hard batting paradise offering true bounce early on before drying out for the spinners
Weather Report:
Hot and humid with a stiff sea breeze and zero chance of rain
Fantasy XI :
Ravail Farhan, Komal Khan, Raahima Syed, Zoofishan Ayyaz, Aqsa Habib, Chanel Venter, Mankwana Moriri, Mieke van Voorst, Jae-Leigh Filander, Miya Lalor, Ashleigh van Wyk
Match Details :
Date: 24th July, 2026
Time: 8 PM
Venue: National Stadium, Karachi
Broadcast: The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website
Loves all things female cricket