MULTAN: South Africa women’s cricket team defeated Pakistan women by eight wickets in the third T20I to win the three-match series 2-1. They held the final match at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Friday afternoon. South Africa won the first T20I by 10 runs, while Pakistan leveled the series with a 13-run win in the second match on Wednesday.
Chasing a target of 154, South Africa lost their opener, Tazmin Brits, for a golden duck in the first over. Sadia Iqbal took the early wicket for Pakistan. However, South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch steadied the innings with an 81-run partnership for the second wicket. Bosch retired hurt after scoring a well-played 46 from 37 balls, hitting six boundaries and a six.
Wolvaardt contributed with 45 runs from 37 balls, including two fours and two sixes. South Africa’s chase was further strengthened by a quickfire 44 not out from Annerie Dercksen. Dercksen hit six fours and two sixes in her 23-ball innings, forming an unbroken 51-run partnership with Sune Luus, who remained unbeaten on 14 from 13 balls. The pair guided South Africa to the target with nine balls to spare.
For Pakistan, Sadia Iqbal and Tuba Hassan claimed one wicket each but couldn’t prevent South Africa from sealing the victory.
Pakistan’s Batting Struggles Despite Strong Start
Earlier, South Africa put Pakistan into bat, and openers Muneeba Ali and Gull Feroza gave a solid start with 49 runs in the powerplay. Gull fell first, scoring 18 off 18 balls with three boundaries. Muneeba added 33 runs from 26 balls, including four boundaries, before getting run out in the 11th over.
Sidra Amin and Nida Dar added 33 runs for the third wicket before Nonkululeko Mlaba bowled Nida for 12 runs. Captain Fatima Sana played a crucial role in the middle order, scoring 27 off 17 balls, including two fours and a six. She and Sidra Amin built a 46-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Sidra was Pakistan’s top scorer with 37 runs from 40 balls, hitting three boundaries. Aliya Riaz and Tuba Hassan remained unbeaten on eight and six runs respectively, helping Pakistan post a total of 153-5 in their 20 overs.
South Africa’s Next Stop: ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024
Both teams will now travel to the UAE for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, starting on 3 October 2024. South Africa is placed in Group B, alongside Bangladesh, England, Scotland, and West Indies. They will fly from Lahore to Dubai on Saturday. Pakistan, in Group A with Australia, India, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka, will depart for Dubai on Monday.
Match Summary:
- Pakistan: 153-5 in 20 overs (Sidra Amin 37, Muneeba Ali 33, Fatima Sana 27)
- South Africa: 154-2 in 18.3 overs (Anneke Bosch 46 retired hurt, Laura Wolvaardt 45, Annerie Dercksen 44 not out, Sune Luus 14 not out)
Player of the Match: Annerie Dercksen (South Africa)
Player of the Series: Sune Luus (South Africa)
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