Pakistan Women Under-19s rounded off their home campaign with a spirited performance against South Africa Women Under-19s in the fifth T20 at the National Stadium, Karachi. Although South Africa Women Under-19s had already secured the five-match series 3-2, Pakistan Women Under-19s ensured they finished on a high by claiming a 17-run victory via the DLS method after rain interrupted the chase. The contest witnessed several useful batting contributions, disciplined bowling spells, and momentum-shifting partnerships that made for an entertaining conclusion to the South Africa Women Under-19s tour of Pakistan 2026.
After electing to bat first, Pakistan Women Under-19s were given a positive beginning by openers Ravali Farhan and Komal Khan, who stitched together 48 runs for the opening wicket. Ravali anchored the innings with a composed 32 off 34 deliveries, striking five boundaries, while Komal played with intent during her 21 off 20 balls, including three fours and a six. The opening stand laid a stable platform before Komal became the first batter to depart, trapped lbw by Melissa van der Merwe in the eighth over. Pakistan continued to keep the scoreboard ticking as Ravali found another productive partner in Shahar Bano, with the pair adding 37 runs for the second wicket. Ravali’s measured knock ended on 32 when she was caught by captain Mieke van Voorst off Ashleigh van Wyk, leaving Pakistan at 85/3 in the 13th over.
The innings gathered fresh momentum thanks to the aggressive stroke play of Shahar Bano, who played the standout knock of the innings. Shahar smashed 30 runs from only 19 deliveries, striking two fours and three towering sixes at a strike rate of 157.89, ensuring Pakistan maintained the scoring rate through the middle overs. Alongside her, Zoofishan Ayyaz contributed a valuable 18 off 17 balls, and together they shared 28 runs for the fourth wicket, taking Pakistan closer to a competitive total.
Zoofishan was dismissed by Ashleigh van Wyk, while Shahar’s entertaining innings ended shortly afterwards, caught by Flander off the same bowler. Captain Fizza Fiaz was unable to make an impact, falling for a duck, but Aqsa Habib remained calm at the finish with an unbeaten 23 from 22 balls, rotating the strike effectively and finding two boundaries. Aqsa guided the lower order through the closing overs despite losing Areesha Ansari (1) and with Mahnoor Zeb unbeaten on 0, helping Pakistan Women Under-19s finish on 128/6 in 20 overs.
South Africa Women Under-19s shared the bowling responsibilities well despite conceding a few useful partnerships. Ashleigh van Wyk was the standout performer, returning impressive figures of 4-0-22-2. Melissa van der Merwe picked up the important wicket of Komal Khan and finished with 1/27 from three overs, while Danelle Boshoff bowled economically, conceding only 18 runs in four overs. Respect Mabasa also maintained control through her four overs, giving away just 21 runs, whereas Miya Lalor chipped in with one over and Mieke van Voorst completed a tidy spell, ensuring Pakistan never completely broke free despite reaching a competitive score.
Chasing a revised DLS target after rain intervened, South Africa Women Under-19s started brightly through D van Rensburg and Miya Lalor. The unbeaten opening pair displayed positive intent from the outset, racing to 44 without loss in just 5.4 overs before the weather halted play. Van Rensburg remained unbeaten on 18 from 17 deliveries, striking three boundaries, while Miya Lalor looked equally fluent with 22 not out off 17 balls, including three fours. Their unbroken 44-run opening partnership kept South Africa well in the contest, but the interruption meant they eventually fell short by 17 runs under the DLS method, denying them the opportunity to complete the chase despite their strong start.
Pakistan Women Under-19s used only three bowlers before rain brought an early end to proceedings. Rozina Akram bowled the most overs, finishing with 0/21 from 2.4 overs, while Mahnoor Zeb delivered two overs for 19 runs and Shahar Bano impressed with a tidy over that cost only two runs, applying pressure during the brief spell she bowled. Although none of the Pakistan bowlers managed a wicket before the weather interruption, their efforts combined with the DLS calculation proved enough to secure victory.
The win offered Pakistan Women Under-19s a satisfying finish to the series, showcasing encouraging performances from Ravali Farhan, Shahar Bano, Aqsa Habib, and Komal Khan with the bat, while Ashleigh van Wyk emerged as the best bowler on either side with her impactful two-wicket spell. Despite South Africa Women Under-19s winning the series 3-2, Pakistan’s victory in the fifth T20 highlighted their fighting spirit and provided valuable confidence for the young squad heading into future international assignments.
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