SOUTH AFRICA: India, Pakistan and Indonesia claimed confidence-boosting victory to open their official warm-up matches of the ICC U19 Women's T20 World Cup.
Despite having a less-than-stellar day at the plate (run out for 10), Shafali Verma, an 18-year-old with 72 senior white-ball appearances, excelled with her off-spin.
Verma has only claimed seven senior international wickets in 24 overs, but she still proved difficult for Australia's batting order, taking opener Paris Bowdler and tearing through the middle order to take 3/8 from four overs, one of which was a maiden.
Verma and Parshavi Chopra's 2/14 (3 overs) successfully defended their 97/8 by limiting Australia to 79/7. In India's first innings, Hrishita Basu's 28 at No. 7 proved crucial, with Richa Ghosh's 12 the next-best batting score.
Once again, Indonesia makes news. Indonesia duplicated its performance in official play after defeating Zimbabwe in an unofficial warm-up, defending 70 with yet another tenacious showing with the ball.
Three Indonesian players, including captain Ni Luh Ketut Wesika Ratna Dewi, led the team with 13 points, the only other player to reach double figures. Olinder Chare of the right arm took the lead with 3/8 (4), while Kelis Ndhlovu of the left arm bowled two maidens in a period of 1/4. (4).
Indonesia's comeback was forceful, and the captain claimed three of the top five in a run of 3/13. (4). Ndhlovu was taken for only five runs by Lie Qiao, who also had support from the other bowlers in holding Zimbabwe to just 55 runs.
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