South Africa Women’s U19 defeated Pakistan Women’s U19 by four wickets in the first T20 at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on Tuesday.

Pakistan lost three wickets without a run on the board but recovered to 103 for 6. South Africa built on a 47-run opening partnership and achieved the target for the loss of six wickets with four overs to spare.

Pakistan’s Aqsa Habib and Zoofishan Ayyaz put on 61 runs for the fourth wicket to repair the damage. Aqsa scored 38 from 50 balls with six fours, while Zoofishan made 30 from 40 balls with four fours. Shahar Bano (18 not out) and Fizza Fiaz (14) made useful contributions lower down to help Pakistan reach 103 for 6.

For South Africa, the new-ball pair of Ashleigh van Wyk and Miya Lalor shared five wickets between them. Van Wyk finished with 3 for 15, while Lalor took 2 for 21.

In their run-chase, Chanel Venter (41 off 32 balls, 3×4, 2×6) and Chris-Mari Bezuidenhout (22 off 20 balls, 4×4) took South Africa to 46 for no loss in the PowerPlay, before Pakistan struck to reduce the visitors to 78 for 4. The home side picked up two more wickets at 94 and 96, but the target was never enough to cause an upset.

Shahar Bano (2 for 16) and Maham Nazaqat (2 for 17) shared the wickets.

The second T20 will be played on 17 July, followed by matches on 19, 22 and 24 July.

First T20 – South Africa Women’s U19 beat Pakistan Women’s U19 by four wickets

Pakistan Women’s U19 103-6, 20 overs (Aqsa Habib 38, Zoofishan Ayyaz 30, Shahar Bano 18*, Fizza Fiaz 14; Ashleigh van Wyk 3-15, Miya Lalor 2-21)

South Africa Women’s U19 104-6, 16 overs (Chanel Venter 41, Chris-Mari Bezuidenhout 22; Shahar Bano 2-16, Maham Nazaqat 2-17)