In a dominant display at the Multan Cricket Stadium, the Proteas Women beat the Pakistan Women by 8 wickets in the 3rd T20I to seal the series 2-1.
South Africa took the harder route at the toss, electing to bowl first in the 40-degree heat. Despite missing two star players in Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka, the visitors still managed to suffocate the hosts by restricting them to 153-5.
The key to their bowling performance was striking at the perfect periods in the match and breaking up partnerships at crucial stages.
Pakistan started well reaching 50 in 6.3 overs, but South Africa managed to remove the opposition’s openers thanks to Sune Luus’ brilliance with the ball and in the field. The first to go was Gull Feroza, caught and bowled by Luus for 18 in the 7th over. Luus then teamed up with Tazmin Britz to run out the dangerous Muneeba Ali (33 off 26 balls) at the end of the 9th over.
After the solid start, the tables were turned as Pakistan were pegged back at 59-2.
South Africa continued to break Pakistan’s momentum. The hosts got to 92 after 12.2 overs, but Nonkululeko Mlaba bowled Nida Dar (12). Pakistan captain Fatima Sana (27 off 17) played with some freedom until Tumi Sekhukhune made it 138-4, breaking a solid 46-run partnership with Sidra Amin in the 18th over.
Chloe Tryon bowled Amin (33) in the 19th over after the hosts brought up 140, which was a crippling blow to Pakistan’s innings.
They managed to limp to 153-4 setting a target of 154 for the Proteas Women to chase.
Despite losing their star opener, Britz for a duck in the first over, the Proteas batted with conviction during their chase.
Laura Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch (46) strung together 84 and it could have been more, if the latter wasn’t forced to retire hurt as a precaution due to the heat.
Despite the forced departure, Wolvaardt (45 off 37) still managed to guide the Proteas Women to 100, before she was removed in the 14th over.
Annerie Dercksen destroyed any belief built by Pakistan, smashing two sixes and 6 fours for her 23-ball 44. She was supported smartly by Luus (13) in a 51-run stand to take the Proteas Women over the line with nine balls remaining.
This sealed the 8-wicket victory and the series 2-1 for South Africa. This was the visitors’ first T20I series win in Pakistan, after losing 3-0 to the hosts in September 2023.
