ICC Ladies’s T20 World Cup, Group Two, Edgbaston
Pakistan 126-9 (20 overs): Fatima 55* (38); Kapp 3-23
South Africa 127-8 (16.4 overs): Dercksen 52 (35); Fatima 3-16
South Africa gained by two wickets
South Africa earned their first victory on the Ladies’s T20 World Cup as they beat Pakistan by two wickets at Edgbaston.
The Proteas had been hammered by favourites Australia of their opener, setting them again in a tough group which additionally consists of 50-over world champions India.
Their win got here from a mix of good bowling from veteran all-rounder Marizanne Kapp and shambolic batting from Pakistan’s prime order, who collapsed to 29-5 after which 50-8.
Kapp, 36, made a direct impression with two wickets within the opening over, earlier than some diabolical working between the wickets gifted South Africa three extra.
However an impressed half-century from captain Fatima Sana dragged Pakistan as much as 126-9 after a stand of 71 for the ninth wicket with Tuba Hassan.
Fatima completed unbeaten on 55 from 38 balls together with two sixes within the remaining over bowled by Nadine de Klerk which conceded 19.
The skipper then saved her facet within the sport with the ball – ending with figures of 3-23 – as South Africa made onerous work of the chase by throwing away common wickets.
Their batting wants to enhance significantly if they’re to problem India and Australia within the group’s prime two, however all-rounder Annerie Dercksen’s 52 and De Klerk’s 37 had been sufficient to get them over the road with simply over three overs to spare.
The Proteas have reached the previous two T20 World Cup finals however misplaced each, to Australia in 2023 and New Zealand in 2024. Pakistan have suffered two defeats, having misplaced to India on Sunday.
