Pakistan Women
South Africa’s women’s cricket team fell short of chasing a 182-run target set by Pakistan during the second T20I match at Multan Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, resulting in a 13-run victory for the home side. With this win, Pakistan leveled the three-match series at 1-1, setting up an exciting decider.
Batting first after losing the toss, Pakistan women posted an impressive total of 181/4. The foundation of Pakistan’s innings was laid by strong contributions from Muneeba Ali and Fatima Sana, who scored 45 runs off 34 balls and 37 off 23 balls respectively. The two batters played fearlessly, keeping South Africa’s bowlers under pressure with their aggressive stroke play.
Former captain Nida Dar also played a vital role in Pakistan’s innings, scoring a brisk 29 off 21 deliveries. In the process, Dar achieved a significant milestone, surpassing 2,000 runs in T20I cricket, becoming only the third Pakistani woman to reach this feat. Towards the end of the innings, Aliya Riaz provided a quick-fire finish, smashing two fours and a six to add 17 crucial runs off just seven balls.
Among South Africa’s bowlers, Tumi Sekhukhune was the standout performer, dismissing both Feroza and Dar. Annerie Dercksen and Sune Luus also took a wicket each, but the South African bowling attack struggled to contain Pakistan’s middle order.
In response, South Africa started their chase with some early promise, but Pakistan’s bowling attack proved too strong. Sadia Iqbal struck early, dismissing opener Tazmin Brits for just nine runs off 10 balls in the 2.4 over.
Despite a solid contribution from captain Laura Wolvaardt, who scored 36 runs off 25 deliveries, and a valiant 53 off 29 balls from Sune Luus, the South Africans found themselves constantly under pressure.
Chloe Tryon added quick runs toward the end of the innings, scoring 30 off 16 balls, but the lower order could not keep up with the required run rate. Anneke Bosch and Nadine de Klerk contributed 16 and 12 runs, respectively, but it wasn’t enough to chase down the target.
Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Nashra Sandhu and Sadia Iqbal, were instrumental in defending the total. Both Sandhu and Iqbal claimed two wickets each, playing key roles in stifling the South African batting lineup. South Africa ended their innings at 168/4, falling 13 runs short of Pakistan’s total.
The victory allowed Pakistan to level the series, making the third and final match of the T20I series a must-watch. The series decider is set to take place on Friday at the same venue, Multan Cricket Stadium.
The playing XIs for both teams were as follows:
Pakistan: Gul Feroza, Sidra Amin, Nida Dar, Muneeba Ali (wk), Aliya Riaz, Sadaf Shamas, Fatima Sana (captain), Sadia Iqbal, Nashra Sandhu, Diana Baig, Tuba Hassan.
South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (captain), Tazmin Brits, Anneke Bosch, Sune Luus, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Annerie Dercksen, Seshnie Naidu, Tumi Sekhukhune, Ayanda Hlubi.
With the series now tied, both teams will be eager to claim victory in the final match and secure the series win.
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