ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, Group B, Edgbaston
Pakistan 126-9 (20 overs): Fatima 55* (38); Head 3-23
South Africa 127-8 (16.4 points): Dirksen 52 (35); Fatima 3-16
South Africa won by two goals
South Africa recorded their first win in the Women’s T20 World Cup when they beat Pakistan by two wickets at Edgbaston.
It was the protea Hammered by Australia’s favourites In the opening match, he put them in a tough group that also included 50th world champions India.
Their win came from a combination of brilliant bowling from veteran pace bowler Marizanne Kapp and chaotic batting from the top order of Pakistan, who collapsed to 29-5 and then 50-8.
Kapp, 36, made an immediate impact with two wickets in the opener, before a devilish run between the wickets gifted South Africa three more.
But an inspired half-century from captain Fatima Sana dragged Pakistan to 126-9 after a stand of 71 for the ninth wicket with Toba Hasan.
Fatima finished her run unbeaten with 55 off 38 balls including two sixes in the final over Nadine de Klerk who conceded 19 balls.
The skipper then kept her team in the match with the ball – finishing with figures of 3-23 – as South Africa made hard work of the chase by bowling regular wickets.
Their batting needs to improve significantly if they are to challenge India and Australia for the top two spots in the group, but Aneri Derksen’s 52 and De Klerk’s 37 were enough to get them over the line with just over three overs to spare.
The Proteas have reached the last two T20 World Cups but lost both to Australia in 2023 and New Zealand in 2024. Pakistan have suffered two defeats, having lost to India on Sunday.
