South Africa thrash Pakistan in decider to claim Women's T20I series

PAK vs SA: South Africa beat Pakistan by 8 wickets in the deciding game at the Multan Cricket Stadium to claim the three-match T20I series 2-1.

In Short

• South Africa beat Pakistan by 8 wickets
• Annerie Dercksen won the Player of the Match award
• Proteas chased down 154 with nine balls to spare

South Africa beat Pakistan by eight wickets in the series decider on Friday, September 20, to claim the Women's T20I series 2-1. After losing the opening game by 10 runs, Fatima Sana and Co. made a comeback with a 13-run win on Wednesday. But the Proteas came out firing on all cylinders in the third and final match.

After opting to bowl first, South Africa restricted the hosts to 153 for the loss of five wickets. Muneeba Ali (33) and Gull Feroza (18) laid the platform with a partnership of 50 for the opening wicket off 6.3 overs. After both openers perished in the space of 2.2 overs, Sidra Amin took charge with a 37-run knock.

Nida Dar looked dangerous in her seven-ball 12 before left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba accounted for her wicket. Skipper Fatima, who suffered from concussion in the second T20I, returned with a quickfire knock of 27 off 17. Tumi Sukhukhune, Chloe Tryon, and Sune Luus picked up one wicket apiece.

Bosch, Dercksen, Wolvaardt shine

The visitors found themselves in early trouble after Sadia Iqbal removed the in-form Tazmin Brits, who won the Player of the Match award in the first T20I. But captain Laura Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch played their shots and put on a match-winning partnership of 100 runs off 13 overs.

Wolvaardt hit two fours and as many sixes on her way to a 37-ball 45. Bosch also looked elegant, scoring 46 off 37 balls. But she retired hurt as a precaution due to the heat in Multan. Thereafter, Annerie Dercksen came out firing with an unbeaten knock of 44 off 23 balls.

Along with Luus who made 14 off 13, Dercksen stitched together a partnership of 51 runs for the fourth wicket off 29 balls. Apart from Sadia, young leg-spinner Tuba Hassan got one wicket.