South Africa Under-19 Women made the perfect start to their five-match Youth T20I series against Pakistan, securing a comfortable four-wicket victory in the opening match in Karachi on Tuesday.

Leg-spinner Ashleigh van Wyk starred with the ball before opener Chanel Venter produced a confident innings at the top of the order as South Africa chased down 104 with four overs to spare to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

After losing the toss and being asked to field first, the visitors made an ideal start as Miya Lalor and Van Wyk ripped through Pakistan’s top order. The pair combined to reduce the hosts to 0/3, putting South Africa firmly in control from the outset.

Pakistan recovered through a 61-run partnership between Zoofishan Ayyaz (30) and top scorer Aqsa Habib (38), while captain Fizza Fiaz (14) and Shahar Bano (18) added useful late runs to help the hosts reach 103/6 from their 20 overs.

Van Wyk was the standout performer with the ball, returning figures of 3/15, while Lalor claimed 2/21.

South Africa’s reply began just as positively.

Openers Venter and Chris-Mari Bezuidenhout attacked from the outset, sharing a 47-run opening partnership during the powerplay to put the tourists well ahead of the required rate.

Bezuidenhout contributed 22 from 20 balls before being run out, while Makwana Moriri fell cheaply to leave South Africa at 50/2.

Captain Mieke van Voorst was also run out without scoring, but Venter continued to anchor the chase with an aggressive 41 from just 32 deliveries, striking three fours and two sixes as South Africa reached 78/3 after 10 overs.

Although Venter departed in the 11th over, the result was never in doubt. Jae-Leigh Filander (9*), Lalor (14) and Daneli Boshoff (6*) calmly guided South Africa to 104/6 in 16 overs, sealing a four-wicket victory with 24 balls to spare.

The two sides meet again on Friday as South Africa look to extend their advantage in the five-match series.

Fixtures – Youth T20I Series

(All times SAST)

Result

  • 1st Youth T20I: South Africa U19 Women won by 4 wickets
    • Pakistan U19: 103/6 (20 overs) – Aqsa Habib 38, Zoofishan Ayyaz 30; Ashleigh van Wyk 3/15, Miya Lalor 2/21
    • South Africa U19: 104/6 (16 overs) – Chanel Venter 41, Chris-Mari Bezuidenhout 22

Upcoming Fixtures

Friday, 17 July – 17:00: 2nd Youth T20I – Pakistan U19 vs South Africa U19 Women (National Stadium, Karachi)

Sunday, 19 July – 17:00: 3rd Youth T20I – Pakistan U19 vs South Africa U19 Women (National Stadium, Karachi)

Wednesday, 22 July – 17:00: 4th Youth T20I – Pakistan U19 vs South Africa U19 Women (National Stadium, Karachi)

Friday, 24 July – 17:00: 5th Youth T20I – Pakistan U19 vs South Africa U19 Women (National Stadium, Karachi)