Sidra Amin and Aliya Riaz help Pakistan chase 151 again to secure series win over South Africa

Pakistan clinched the T20I series after successively chasing 151 against the visitors. This marks Pakistan’s second bilateral T20I series win against South Africa; the previous coming in March 2015 when Pakistan won 2-1. 

Captain Nida Dar won the toss and opted to field first. South Africa’s batting mirrored the template they had set for themselves in the first T20I; the visitors were 46-0 after the powerplay today, which was only two short of their powerplay score in the first T20I. As it had happened then, the left-arm spin duo of Nashra Sundhu and Sadia Iqbal spun a web, effectively limiting the flow of runs and providing the much-needed breakthrough.

Nashra first had the South African captain Laura Wolvaardt, and Sadia subsequently grabbed Tazmin Brits’ wicket. They were aided by Umm-e-Hani, on debut, who bowled tight lines, keeping any runs from leaking. At the end of the first innings, the South African scorecard mimicked the one displayed during the first T20I; 150-3.

While the young opener, Shawaal Zulfiqar, out cheaply, the experienced duo of Bismah Maroof and Sidra Amin quickly sought to build a steady, yet dominating, partnership. The 68-run-stand between the two brought both stability and momentum to the Pakistan innings. This was further carried on by the match-defining partnership between Muneeba Ali and Aliya Riaz, where 54 runs came off just 29 balls. The fearless and attacking approach adopted by Pakistan ensured that the game never left their hands.

Although the target was the same as the first T20I, Pakistan did not leave it to the last ball this time. Aliya was able to take her side over the rope comfortably this time, with five deliveries remaining. Where there were tears of relief on Friday night, there was only a smile, as Aliya hugged Muneeba on the other end, after hitting the winning runs for the second time this series.

 Match Summary

Pakistan Women 156/3 (19.1 ov)

South Africa Women 150/3 (20 ov)

Pakistan Women won by 7 wickets

SCORECARD  

 

 Match Stats

South Africa Women Fall of wickets: 1-74 (Laura Wolvaardt - 10.4 ov), 2-111 (Tazmin Brits - 16.3 ov), 3-130 (Marizanne Kapp - 18.3 ov)

Pakistan Women Fall of wickets: 1-23 (Shawaal Zulfiqar - 3.6 ov), 2-91 (Bismah Maroof - 12.5 ov), 3-102 (Sidra Ameen - 14.2 ov)

Playing XI

Pakistan Women: Muneeba Ali(WK), Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof, Sidra Ameen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Nida Dar(C), Nashra Sandhu, Diana Baig, Sadia Iqbal, Sana Fatima, Umme Hani

South Africa Women: Delmi Tucker, Sinalo Jafta(WK), Laura Wolvaardt(C), Sune Luus, Tazmin Brits, Anneke Bosch, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba

 

Match Details:

Date: Sunday, September 3, 2023 15:30

Venue: National Stadium, Karachi

Toss: Pakistan Women elected to bowl

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