England wore down a determined Pakistan by beating them by 53 runs to maintain their place at the top of the Group B standings at the ICC Under19 Women’s T20 World Cup, ensuring their passage into the Super Six League stage.
While they didn’t have it all their way while batting first in the encounter at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom, England’s batting depth still made Pakistan pay for leaking runs towards the end of their innings and set them the more than competitive total of 157 to win.
Pakistan, led by a 36-ball 34 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.
Having ridden roughshod over an outclassed Zimbabwe in winning their tournament opener by 174 runs, the English side sporting four changes was keen to impose itself after winning the toss and deciding to bat.
Pakistan were not overawed however, as the opening exchanges in their innings had the feeling of…
