Pakistan Women Under-19s bounced back in style to level the five-match T20 series 1-1 after producing a commanding all-round display against South Africa Women Under-19s at the National Stadium in Karachi. Opting to field first after winning the toss, South Africa hoped to make early inroads, but Pakistan’s batters recovered from an early setback before their disciplined bowling attack dismantled the chase to seal an emphatic 47-run victory. The result was built on a composed innings from Ravail Farhan and a collective bowling performance that never allowed the visitors to build momentum, making this one of Pakistan’s most complete performances of the series.
Pakistan’s innings began with an early blow when wicketkeeper-opener Komal Khan and Ravail Farhan added 63 runs for the opening wicket. While Komal played an aggressive supporting role with 23 off 24 balls, striking three fours and a six, she was dismissed by Reabetswe Dithupe in the ninth over. That breakthrough briefly lifted South Africa, but Ravail Farhan continued to anchor the innings with maturity and excellent shot selection. Zoofishan Ayyaz joined Farhan and the pair stitched together a valuable 16-run partnership. Zoofishan contributed 11 from 12 deliveries with two boundaries before Ashleigh van Wyk removed her at 79/2 in the 13th over.
Farhan then found another useful partner in Raahima Syed as the duo added 20 runs for the third wicket, helping Pakistan maintain the scoring rate through the middle overs. Raahima scored a brisk 8 off 8 balls before she was caught by Dithupe off Miya Lalor. Captain Fizza Fiaz chipped in with 7 from 12 balls before retiring out in the penultimate over, while Shahar Bano remained unbeaten on 1. Through it all, Ravail Farhan stood firm, finishing unbeaten on a superb 68 from 64 balls, an innings decorated with nine boundaries and two sixes, guiding Pakistan to a competitive 125/4 in 20 overs.
South Africa’s bowlers had mixed fortunes throughout the innings. Miya Lalor was the standout performer, finishing with 1/23 from her four overs while maintaining control during the middle phase. Ashleigh van Wyk also claimed one wicket, conceding 26 runs in her four overs, and Reabetswe Dithupe matched those figures with 1/26. Melissa van der Merwe delivered an economical spell of 0/16 in four overs to restrict Pakistan late in the innings. Respect Mabasa bowled a solitary over for 14 runs, D van Rensburg returned figures of 0/11 from one over, while Mieke van Voorst conceded just nine runs in her two-over spell despite going wicketless.
Chasing 126 for victory, South Africa’s innings never truly gained momentum as Pakistan’s bowlers struck at regular intervals. Chris-Mari Bezuidenhout was dismissed for a duck first ball by Shahar Bano, leaving the visitors immediately under pressure. Chanel Venter attempted to counterattack with 9 off 8 balls, but Mahnoor Zeb removed her to make it 20/2. D van Rensburg and captain Mieke van Voorst tried to stabilise the innings with a 28-run partnership for the third wicket, the best stand of the chase. Van Rensburg scored 20 from 24 balls with two boundaries before falling to a sharp run-out involving Fizza Fiaz. Soon after, Mieke van Voorst, who made 16 from 20 deliveries with three fours, was dismissed by Mah Noor, reducing South Africa to 48/3.
The middle order failed to revive the chase as wickets continued to tumble. Mankwana Moriri managed only 4 before Mah Noor struck again, while Ashleigh van Wyk made 13 from 14 balls with two boundaries before becoming Mahnoor Zeb’s second victim. Miya Lalor contributed 4 before Maham Nazakat entered the attack to claim her wicket. Melissa van der Merwe was dismissed for 4 by Mahnoor Zeb, while Reabetswe Dithupe failed to score after being stumped off Maham Nazakat. Respect Mabasa remained unbeaten on 0 alongside the absent-hurt Jae-Leigh Filander as South Africa were bowled out for 78 in 17.1 overs, falling well short of the target.
Pakistan’s bowling attack shared the spoils impressively. Mahnoor Zeb emerged as the most successful bowler with 3/21 in four overs, removing Chanel Venter, Ashleigh van Wyk and Melissa van der Merwe. Mah Noor complemented her brilliantly with 2/19 from four overs, dismissing Mieke van Voorst and Mankwana Moriri to derail the middle order. Maham Nazakat delivered the most economical spell, taking 2/8 in 3.1 overs, including the final wicket, while Shahar Bano set the tone with the new ball by claiming 1/12 in three overs. Rozina Akram also played an important supporting role with a tidy spell of 0/15 from three overs, building pressure that resulted in mistakes from the South African batters.
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