England edge Pakistan in U19 Women’s T20 World Cup

LAHORE: England’s Under-19 women’s cricket team secured their first victory of the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup, overpowering Pakistan by six wickets in a low-scoring encounter at the Johor Cricket Academy Oval on Monday.

The English side, showcasing resilience after early setbacks, successfully chased down Pakistan’s modest total of 66 runs in just 9.2 overs, with Katie Jones emerging as the player of the match for her unbeaten 20-run knock that guided her team home.

Pakistan’s batting lineup crumbled under precise English bowling, managing only 66 runs before being dismissed in 18.5 overs. The collapse began early after England won the toss and elected to field, with Pakistan struggling at 35-5 by the ninth over.

Zoofishan Ayyaz provided brief resistance with a quick-fire 15 off 13 balls, including two boundaries, while captain Komal Khan contributed 12 runs from 25 deliveries. However, their efforts proved insufficient against England’s disciplined bowling attack.

England’s Amuruthaa Surenkumar emerged as the standout bowler, claiming impressive figures of 3-17. She received valuable support from Tilly Corteen-Coleman and Olivia Brinsden, who picked up two wickets each.

The chase wasn’t entirely smooth for England, who found themselves in early trouble at 33-4. However, an unbroken 34-run partnership between Katie Jones (20 not out) and captain Abigale Norgrove (14 not out) steered their team to victory. Jones’s innings, featuring a four and a six, proved decisive in the context of the low-scoring match.

Pakistan’s bowlers showed fight with Mahnoor Zeb claiming two wickets, while Fatima Khan and Quratulain managed one dismissal each, but the target proved too small to defend.

The result leaves Pakistan in third place in Group B, with one point from their previous washed-out opening game against the United States. Ireland currently occupies fourth position in the group standings.

Scores in brief

Group B: Pakistan Women’s U19 vs England Women’s U19 at the Johor Cricket Academy Oval, Johor

Toss: England won the toss and elected to bowl first

Pakistan Women’s U19 66 all out, 18.5 overs (Zoofishan Ayyaz 15, Komal Khan 12; Amuruthaa Surenkumar 3-17, Tilly Corteen-Coleman 2-2, Olivia Brinsden 2-7, Eve O’Neill 2-13)

England Women’s U19 67-4, 9.2 overs (Katie Jones 20 not out, Abigale Norgrove 14 not out; Mahnoor Zeb 2-23).