The South Africa Under-19 Women will head into a winner-takes-all final match after Pakistan claimed a six-wicket victory in the fourth Youth T20I in Karachi on Wednesday to level the five-match series at 2-2.

After restricting South Africa to 109/8, Pakistan recovered from a difficult position during the chase thanks to an unbeaten 70-run partnership between Zoofishan Ayyaz and captain Fizza Fiaz, sealing victory with four balls to spare.

South Africa won the toss and elected to bat, but lost opener Chanel Venter for one in the second over after Rozina Akram struck early.

Shreeya Subbiah and Diedre van Rensburg then rebuilt the innings with an enterprising partnership that carried South Africa to 35/1 at the end of the powerplay. Van Rensburg made 23 before falling shortly afterwards, while Subbiah continued to anchor the innings.

The left-hander added another valuable stand with captain Mieke van Voorst, with the pair putting on 33 runs for the third wicket before Pakistan fought back. Akram dismissed Subbiah for a well-played 30 in the 13th over before Van Voorst was run out later in the same over.

Pakistan continued to strike at regular intervals, preventing South Africa from building any momentum. Chris-Mari Bezuidenhout remained unbeaten on 23 to help the visitors close on 109/8 from their 20 overs.

Mahnoor Zeb (2/18) and Rozina Akram (2/21) led the Pakistan bowling attack, with Mah Noor, Shahar Bano and Zoofishan Ayyaz also picking up wickets.

Pakistan’s chase began cautiously as openers Komal Khan and Ravail Farhan guided the hosts to 21 without loss after six overs.

South Africa’s bowlers then dragged themselves back into the contest. Respect Mabasa removed Farhan before captain Van Voorst bowled Khan. Mabasa then struck twice in consecutive deliveries to dismiss Aqsa Habib and Areesha Ansari, reducing Pakistan to 43/4 and putting the visitors firmly in control.

However, Ayyaz and Fiaz produced the decisive partnership of the match. The pair remained unbeaten as they added 70 runs to steer Pakistan to 113/4 in 19.2 overs and level the series.

Mabasa was the standout bowler for South Africa with figures of 3/25, while Van Voorst claimed 1/10.

The series will now be decided in the fifth and final Youth T20I on Friday in Karachi.

Fixtures – Youth T20I Series

(All times SAST)

Results

  • 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
  • 2nd Youth T20I: Pakistan U19 Women won by 47 runs
    • Pakistan U19: 125/4 (20 overs) – Ravail Farhan 68* (64), Komal Khan 23 (24); Miya Lalor 1/23, Reabetswe Dithupe 1/26
    • South Africa U19: 78 all out (17.1 overs) – Diedre van Rensburg 20, Mieke van Voorst 16
  • 3rd Youth T20I: South Africa U19 Women won by 52 runs
    • South Africa U19: 158/6 (20 overs) – Mieke van Voorst 57, Daneli Boshoff 39*; Maham Nazakat 2/29
    • Pakistan U19: 106 all out (18 overs) – Shahar Bano 39; Miya Lalor 2/14, Respect Mabasa 2/9
  • 4th Youth T20I: Pakistan U19 Women won by 6 wickets
    • South Africa U19: 109/8 (20 overs) – Shreeya Subbiah 30 (30), Chris-Mari Bezuidenhout 23* (23); Mahnoor Zeb 2/18, Rozina Akram 2/21
    • Pakistan U19: 113/4 (19.2 overs) – Zoofishan Ayyaz 44* (29), Fizza Fiaz 28* (27); Respect Mabasa 3/25, Mieke van Voorst 1/10

Upcoming Fixture

  • Friday, 24 July – 16:00: 5th Youth T20I – Pakistan U19 vs South Africa U19 Women (National Stadium, Karachi)