Maiden call-up to the Proteas women's squad 'was like a movie', says 16-year-old Karabo Meso

The 16-year-old wicketkeeper-batter could make her senior international debut in the three-match series thats starts on 27 March at Willowmoore Park in Benoni.

Meso's abilities at a young age helped her gain selection for the inaugural 2023 U19 Women's T20 World Cup held on home soil, where she impressed with a competition-high eight dismissals on the way to being picked for the Team of the Tournament after South Africa bowed out at the Super Six stage. 

Reflecting on the moment she received the news of her selection, the CSA U19 Women's Player of the Year shared her initial disbelief and overwhelming gratitude. 

She said: "I got the message a day before it got announced in the media. I didn't know how to react because at first, I didn't believe it, even though it came out of my coach's mouth. I felt it was like a movie, I'm truly honoured.

"It's not that easy to play for your country at a young age. Not many people can make a national team at the age of 16, so I'm going to learn a lot."

Looking back at a pivotal period in her burgeoning career, the Soweto-born Meso highlights the impact of last year's U19 World Cup experience.

From representing her country at a young age in the U19 World Cup to her contributions in senior domestic cricker for the Lions and SA Emerging, Meso has demonstrated her ability to grow, adapt and thrive at different levels of the game. 

She added: "I started playing for the Lions in 2021. I was still young, I didn't know anything. I just played cricket for fun, even though it was the women's side I just played and then the trials for the World Cup came and I played in the World Cup. 

"It also showed me as a cricketer that we grow. People grow playing cricket, any sport, whenever they take a step forward. Taking a step forward actually makes people grow day by day, no matter if it's sports or life.

"Cricket has been a part of my life™s journey since I was seven. It's actually inspiring me as a person because now I have bigger goals. Not only a vision of playing for the Proteas, but I also have more goals and ambitions.

"My passion drives me to become a better cricketer and to inspire other young athletes who want to be in my shoes."

READ MORE: South African starlet Kwena Maphaka signs IPL deal with Mumbai Indians