Pakistan women and South Africa women locked horns in the final T20I game of the series by facing off at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Friday, September 20. Meanwhile, this game was the series decider, as the visitors won the first T20I and the hosts were coming off a commanding win in the second T20I, leveling the series 1-1.
However, South Africa’s women’s captain Laura Wolvaardt called the toss properly and asked the hosts to bat first to start the third Twenty20 International. Gull Feroza and Muneeba Ali opened the innings with a 50-run partnership in just six overs, giving the team a strong start. Feroza took the first blood for the tourists just as the powerplay was about to an end, leaving following a run-a-ball 18. Ali, her companion, also fell quickly but got up and walked back after scoring the vital 33 runs.
After that, Sidra Amin teamed up with Nida Dar with the intention of scoring a huge total. Nonkululeko Mlaba achieved a significant breakthrough for her side when she dismissed Dar following a seven-ball twelve, capping a 32-run partnership. The captain Fatima Sana then joined Amin, and the two of them produced another outstanding 46-run partnership. Sana and Amin were removed from the game after hitting 27 and 37 runs, respectively.
The host was able to register 153/5 in their allocated 20 overs thanks to crucial partnerships from their hitters. Chloe Tryon, Tumi Sekhukhune, Mlaba, and Sune Luus each took one wicket for South Africa.
South Africa wins 2-1 in the series
Opening batswoman Tazmin Brits went back following a first-ball duck, giving the South African women a terrible start. Following a rocky beginning to the run chase, the goal of captain Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch was to steady the chase. The unsteady beginning hurt both batsmen because they were hitting Pakistani bowlers all over the pitch and scoring 57 runs during the powerplay.
Despite both batters hitting in unison, Bosch elected to end his career wounded after a beautifully constructed 46. She hit six boundaries and one six during her innings. The Proteas captain, who had scored two boundaries and two sixes in her innings while hitting a vital 37 balls for forty-five, was the last wicket to go for the team as she walked back.
Also Read: Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal, and Muneeba Ali helped Pakistan draw level
After that, Annerie Dercksen and Sune Luus put on a 51-run stand that ended the game and won the series for her team. Dercksen struck six boundaries and two huge sixes in a rapidfire 44. With nine balls remaining, South Africa managed to win the match by eight wickets, concluding their innings at 154/2.