Sana earns Pakistan consolation victory in final T20

Player of the Match and Series Fatima Sana delivered a standout performance with both bat and ball to guide Pakistan to a 53-run victory over the Proteas Women in the third and final T20 International (T20I) in Benoni on Monday, with the three-match series ending 2-1 in favour of the host nation.

Sana struck an unbeaten 47 off 30 balls, including four fours and two sixes, as the visitors posted 144/7 in their 20 overs. The right-arm seamer then returned figures of 2/12, while Sadia Iqbal claimed 3/18 to see the Proteas Women restricted to 91/9. Marizanne Kapp did not bat after falling ill.

The toss went in favour of the visitors, with Pakistan electing to bat first. Openers Muneeba Ali and Gull Feroza were both dismissed without troubling the score, as a run-out by wicketkeeper Karabo Meso, along with a wicket from Masabata Klaas (1/32), provided early breakthroughs.

Ayesha Zafar (19) and Sidra Amin (26) steadied the innings for Pakistan, guiding their side to 46/2 at the end of the powerplay before Zafar was caught off the bowling of Nonkululeko Mlaba (1/22).

Pakistan reached the halfway mark on 61/4 after Amin was run out, before Ayabonga Khaka (1/26) joined the wicket-taking effort by dismissing Natalia Pervaiz (7), leaving the visitors on 73/5 after 12 overs.

Another crucial partnership, this time between Sana and Aliya Riaz (26), propelled Pakistan to 126/5 with two overs remaining.

Although the stand was eventually broken, with Riaz caught short of her ground in the penultimate over, Pakistan went on to close their innings on a competitive 144/7 after 20 overs.

In pursuit of 145 to win, the Proteas Women experienced early setbacks. Sana and Iqbal picked up two wickets apiece to remove the hosts’ top-order, with Tazmin Brits (0), Lara Goodall (11), Laura Wolvaardt (11) and Dané van Niekerk (0) all returning to the dugout, reducing South Africa to 36/4 after six overs.

After losing a flurry of wickets early on, all-rounders Nadine de Klerk (27) and Annerie Dercksen (30) steadied the innings, guiding the home side to 56/4 at the halfway mark, still requiring 89 runs from 60 balls.

Facing disciplined bowling from Pakistan, De Klerk and Dercksen brought up a 50-run partnership before an unfortunate run-out ended Dercksen’s stay at the crease, leaving the Proteas Women on 85/5 after 15 overs.

Pakistan tightened their grip on the contest with three quick wickets. De Klerk was caught in the deep off Zafar, while two run-outs accounted for Klaas (1) and Khaka (1).

Iqbal then claimed her third wicket of the innings to wrap up the victory with 19 balls to spare, with Kapp ruled out of the remainder of the match due to illness.

Fixtures

Tuesday, 10 February at 6pm @ JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom - SA won by five wickets

Friday, 13 February at 6pm @ Willowmoore Park, Benoni - SA won by six wickets

Monday, 16 February at 6pm @ Willowmoore Park, Benoni - Pakistan won by 53 runs

Thursday, 19 February at 10am - 50-over Warm-up @ JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom: SA Emerging Women v Pakistan

Sunday, 22 February at 10am @ Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein

Wednesday, 25 February at 2pm @ SuperSport Park, Centurion

Sunday, 1 March at 10am @ Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium, Durban