KARACHI: Jupishan Ayaz’s unbeaten 44 led Pakistan to a six-wicket victory over South Africa in the fourth match of the five-match Women’s Under-19 T20 series at the National Bank Stadium on Wednesday.
The win helped level the five-match series at 2-2, with the fifth and final match scheduled for Friday at the same venue.
The visitors could muster 109/8 in 20 overs despite being anchored by Shreya Subbiah as South Africa captain Mike Van Voorst opted to bat first.
The right-handed opener had a lone battle for South Africa as he scored 30 off one ball with the help of four fours. Apart from him, Deirdre van Rensburg, Chris-Marie Besuidenhout and captain van Voorst (14) can also accumulate double figures.
For Pakistan, Rosina Akram and Mahnoor Zeb took 2 wickets each and Mahnoor, Shahr Bano and Jubishan took one wicket each.
In reply, the home side chased down a target of 110 runs with four wickets and several balls to spare, aided by an unbeaten partnership between captain Fissa Fiusz and Zubishan.
The duo took control of Pakistan’s chase in the 11th over with the scoreboard reading 43/4 due to a top-order collapse, which came after a 34-run opening partnership between Rawail Farhan and Komal Khan, who scored 18 and 15 respectively.
Fissa and Zubishaan dominated the South African bowling attack, eventually leading Pakistan to victory in a 70-run partnership unbeaten off the second ball of the last over.
Jubishan dominated the match-winning partnership to top score Pakistan with a blistering 44 off 29 balls with 5 fours and a six, earning him the Man of the Match award.
On the other hand, Pizza scored an unbeaten 28 off 27 balls with 4 fours.
Respect Mapasa was the best bowler for the visitors as he took 3 for 25 from his four overs, while van Voorst could manage a scalp.