Cricket South Africa (CSA) have announced the South Africa under-19 Women’s squad for their maiden Youth T20 International (T20I) tour to Pakistan, scheduled to take place from 14–24 July.
The 15-player squad will once again be captained by Easterns allrounder Mieke van Voorst. The group also features six players who represented SA U19 Women at the Patricia Kambarami Cup in Nigeria earlier this year, where the team secured a bronze medal. They are Daneli Boschoff (Boland), Jae-Leigh Filander and Miya Lalor (both Western Province), Ziya Mohanlall (KZN Coastal), Ashleigh van Wyk (Easterns) and Chanel Venter (Titans).
The tour will comprise five Youth T20 International matches, to be played on 14, 17, 19, 22 and 24 July. All fixtures will be staged as day-night encounters at the National Stadium in Karachi.
The historic trip presents the SA U19 Women with a valuable opportunity to further their preparations for the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2027, which will be held in Bangladesh and Nepal in January next year.
SA U19 Women head coach Dinesha Devnarain said: “This tour is a significant step in our preparation for the T20 World Cup next year. While our national training camps remain important in developing our skills, game plans and team culture, there is no substitute for the experience gained through competitive international cricket.
“The opportunity to play a quality opposition in Pakistan and experience subcontinent conditions similar to those we expect in Bangladesh and Nepal will be invaluable for our players. It will help them adapt to different environments, grow in confidence and further their understanding of their roles as we continue building towards the World Cup.”
SA U19 Women Convenor of Selectors, AJ Rudman, commented: “We are pleased with the balance and depth of this squad, which combines a strong core of players from our recent camps and tours with individuals who have impressed at provincial level.
“As we continue building towards the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup, this tour provides an excellent opportunity to expose the players to international cricket, different conditions and high-pressure situations. It will allow us to further assess combinations, role clarity and adaptability within the group.”
SA U19 WOMEN’S SQUAD
Mieke van Voorst (captain, Easterns), Chris-Mari Bezuidenhout (Mpumalanga), Daneli Boshoff (Boland), Jae-Leigh Filander (Western Province), Reabetswe Dithupe (North West), Miya Lalor (Western Province), Respect Mabasa (Limpopo), Ziya Mohanlall (KwaZulu-Natal Coastal), Makwana Moriri (Central Gauteng Lions), Lungile Ngcobo (KwaZulu-Natal Coastal), Melissa van der Merwe (Boland), Diedre van Rensburg (North West), Ashleigh Van Wyk (Easterns), Chanel Venter (Titans) and Nobubelebesisa Zwane (KwaZulu-Natal Coastal).
FIXTURES - YOUTH T20I SERIES
Tuesday, 14 July at TBC
1st Youth T20I - Pakistan U19 v SA U19 Women (National Stadium, Karachi)
Friday, 17 July at TBC
2nd Youth T20I - Pakistan U19 v SA U19 Women (National Stadium, Karachi)
Sunday, 19 July at TBC
3rd Youth T20I - Pakistan U19 v SA U19 Women (National Stadium, Karachi)
Wednesday, 22 July at TBC
4th Youth T20I - Pakistan U19 v SA U19 Women (National Stadium, Karachi)
Friday, 24 July at TBC
5th Youth T20I - Pakistan U19 v SA U19 Women (National Stadium, Karachi)