England defeated Pakistan by six wickets in their ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup match at the Johor Cricket Academy Oval in Johor, Malaysia on Monday. The result was a significant one for England, as they chased down a modest target of 67 runs in just 9.2 overs, sealing their first win of the tournament.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reported the match’s details, highlighting that Pakistan, who had earned one point from their washed-out opening game against the United States, now find themselves in third place in Group B. Ireland occupies the fourth spot in the group. Despite an early setback, the match provided valuable experience for Pakistan’s young squad as they continue their journey in the tournament.
England’s Comfortable Chase
After winning the toss, England invited Pakistan to bat first, a decision that proved advantageous as the Pakistani batting lineup struggled to get going. The Komal Khan-led side lost wickets regularly, reducing them to 35-5 in just 9.2 overs. From that point, there was little resistance, and Pakistan were eventually bowled out for a mere 66 runs in 18.5 overs.
Pakistan’s top scorer was Zoofishan Ayyaz, who managed to contribute 15 runs off 13 balls, including two boundaries. The captain, Komal Khan, made a modest 12 runs off 25 balls, also hitting two fours. Despite efforts from these two, the middle and lower order failed to build any meaningful partnerships, leaving Pakistan with a small total to defend.
For England, Amuruthaa Surenkumar was the standout bowler, claiming 3 wickets for 17 runs. Tilly Corteen-Coleman and Olivia Brinsden also had successful outings with the ball, picking up two wickets each. Surenkumar’s performance played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s batting collapse, as she made regular breakthroughs and kept the pressure on throughout the innings.
England Response
In response, England’s chase didn’t begin smoothly. They found themselves reduced to 33-4, with Pakistan’s bowlers looking to make inroads into the English batting order. However, a steady partnership between Katie Jones and captain Abigale Norgrove turned the match in England’s favor. Jones, named the player of the match, remained unbeaten on 20 runs from 16 balls, including a boundary and a six. She was well-supported by Norgrove, who finished on 14 not out off 9 balls, hitting two boundaries. Together, they added an unbroken 34-run fifth-wicket partnership, ensuring England reached the target comfortably with six wickets in hand.
Pakistan’s bowlers, despite the setback, fought valiantly. Mahnoor Zeb was the pick of the bowlers, claiming two wickets, while Fatima Khan and Quratulain also took one wicket each. Though Pakistan’s bowlers managed to pick up wickets, they were unable to stop the English chase, which was wrapped up in 9.2 overs.
Pakistan’s Position in Group B
Following this defeat, Pakistan’s position in the group remains precarious. With just one point from two matches, they are in third place in Group B. However, with more matches to play, Pakistan will look to bounce back and build on the experience gained from this match. The team will be hopeful that their batting improves and that they can build partnerships in future matches.
For England, this win boosts their chances in the tournament, giving them valuable momentum as they continue their quest for a spot in the knockout stages.
England’s dominant victory over Pakistan in the ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup showcased their clinical approach to both bowling and batting. While Pakistan’s young team will need to regroup after a disappointing performance, the tournament offers them an opportunity to grow and learn from their experiences.
