Sports Bulletin Report
Potchefstroom (South Africa): England Women’s Under-19 defeated Pakistan by 53 runs in the ICC Under-19 Women’s World Cup 2023 at Senves Park, Potchefstroom, South Africa on Tuesday.
England ladies decided to bat first after winning the coin’s battle. England batter set 157 target for Green Shirts.
Pakistan, led by a 36-ball 34 (five fours) by their unrelenting captain, Syeda Shah – aptly nicknamed Aerobics – were determined in their response but simply did not string enough partnerships to make an impression on the target.
Also, England’s bowling attack – thanks in no small part to Sophia Smale’s 2/10 and Hannah Baker’s 1/13 – was disciplined and never gave them a single over big enough to give them belief.
Pakistan were not overawed however, as the opening exchanges in their innings had the feeling of a boxing match that plays out in a clinch. England were brimming with the intent to cut loose while Pakistan contained them by taking vital wickets just when it seemed like they would.
The chief architects of this containment job were left-arm spinner Anosha Nasir and right-arm medium Zaibunnisa, who took four of the seven wickets that fell through figures of 2/20 and 2/24, respectively.
England were nothing if not persistent, with one of the changes – player of the match Seren Smale – top-scoring with a 33-ball 37 (six fours), Ryana McDonald-Gay going unbeaten on 35 (three fours, one six) and Scrivens chipping in with 24 (four boundaries) to ensure a total of 156/7.
Summarised Scorecard:
Toss: England won the toss and decided to bat first
Venue: Senves Park, Potchefstroom, South Africa
England Women’s Under-19 (Batting) 156 for 7 in 20 overs
Seren Smale 37 runs (33 balls, 4x6, 6x0), Ryana MacDonald Gey 35 runs not out (22 balls, 4x3, 6x1), Grace Serivena 24 runs (21 balls, 4x4, 6x0)
Pakistan Bowling:
Anosha Nasir (2 for 20), Zaib-un-Nisa (2 for 24), Areesha Noor (2 for 34), Rida Ali (1 for 35)
Pakistan Women’s Under-19 (Batting) 103 for 5 in 20 overs
Syeda Aroob Shah 34 runs (36 balls, 4x5, 6x0), Shawaal Zulfiqar 24 (22 balls, 4x4, 6x0), Aliza Khan 16 runs not out (23 balls, 4x0, 6x0), Areesha Noor 11 runs not out (11 balls, 4x1, 6x0)
England Bowling:
Sophia Smale (2 for 10), Grace Scrivens (1 for 9), Hanneb Parker (1 for 13)
Player of the match: Seren Smale (England)
