Pakistan Women Seal the Deal: 13-Run Win Levels Series Against South Africa

The South Africa women’s cricket team fell short in their chase of the 182-run target set by Pakistan during the second T20I at Multan Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. Pakistan restricted South Africa to 168/4, securing a 13-run victory.

Batting first, the Pakistani team posted a total of 181/4 after South Africa won the toss and opted to field. Muneeba Ali and Fatima Sana led the charge for Pakistan, scoring 45 runs off 34 balls and 37 runs off 23 balls, respectively. Former captain Nida Dar also made a significant contribution with a brisk 29 off 21 balls, surpassing the 2000-run milestone and becoming the third Pakistani woman to do so.

Towards the end of the innings, Aliya Riaz, batting alongside Fatima, hit two fours and a six, scoring 17 runs off just seven balls. Opener Gul Feroza managed 10 runs off 11 balls, while Sidra Ameen added 28 runs off 25 deliveries. For South Africa, Tumi Sekhukhune stood out with the ball, claiming the wickets of Feroza and Dar, while Annerie Dercksen and Sune Luus each took one wicket.

In their chase, South Africa started strong but lost their first wicket early when Sadia Iqbal dismissed opener Tazmin Brits for just nine runs off ten balls. Despite a strong effort from Sune Luus (53 off 29) and Chloe Tryon (30 off 16), South Africa fell 14 runs short of the target. Captain Laura Wolvaardt scored 36 runs off 25 balls before being dismissed.

Anneke Bosch and Nadine de Klerk contributed 16 runs (off 20 balls) and 12 runs (off 16 balls), respectively. Pakistan’s Nashra Sandhu and Sadia Iqbal each took two wickets, helping to level the three-match T20I series at 1-1. The series decider will take place on Friday at the same venue.