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Cape Town - An unbeaten half-century from Haris Khan helped Pakistan to a seven-wicket triumph over the South Africa Under-19s in the seventh Youth One-Day International (ODI) in Chatsworth on Sunday.
The result means the visiting side end their tour to South Africa with a seven-nil series victory.
Khan smashed a 55-ball 69 (8 fours, 1 six) alongside team-mate, Basit Ali (56 off 95 balls; 5 fours), as Pakistan cantered to a convincing win with 13.3 overs to spare in response to the SA under-19s’ rather modest total of 182/9 in 48 overs.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, South Africa’s innings failed to find the required rhythm to post a competitive score, as they lost wickets at regular intervals. With only four scores above the 20-run mark, Bryce Parsons (37) top-scored for the hosts, while Jonathan Bird (29) and Andrew Louw (25) also got promising starts before failing to convert.
Khanya Cotani recorded an undefeated 36 off 61 balls as last man in, Lifa Ntanzi (4*), had to retire hurt after being hit in the head by a bouncer in the 48th over.
Mohammad Aamir led the charge with the ball for the sub-continent team, notching up figures of 3/40 while Khan (2/21) and Aamir Ali (2/27) also contributed.
Chasing the lowest target of the series, Pakistan made light work of their outing with the bat. Despite a period of sustained pressure from the South African youngsters built through consecutive dot balls, an 82-run partnership for the third wicket between Khan and Ali edged their side towards victory before a late cameo from Fahad Munir (21*) guided them over the line.
For his two wickets and a match-winning fifty, Khan received the Man of the Match award, while Pakistan captain, Rohail Nazir claimed the Player of the Series accolade for his commendable work behind the stumps and 318 runs, including four half-centuries.
The exciting Jonathan Bird finished the series as the highest run-scorer with 356 runs following his two centuries and one fifty, averaging 59.33 in the six matches he played.
The SA under-19s next take the field in a three-match Youth ODI series against India from 26-30 December in East London.
South Africa U19 squad:
Bryce Parsons (captain, Gauteng), Luke Beaufort (Eastern Province), Jonathan Bird (Western Province), Achille Cloete (Boland), Gerald Coetzee (Free State), Khanya Cotani (North West), Micheal Copeland (Gauteng), Andrew Louw (Free State), Heinrigh Pieterse (Gauteng), Levert Manje (Gauteng), Lifa Ntanzi (KZN Coastal), Imraan Philander (Western Province), Siya Plaatjie (Western Province), Ruan Terblanche (Boland), Nonelela Yikha (Border)
