• Pakistan Women bounced back strongly to level the three-match T20I series against South Africa Women.

  • Muneeba Ali was named Player of the Match for her excellent batting.

Muneeba Ali’s efforts help Pakistan level the series against South Africa in the 2nd T20I
Muneeba Ali (Image Source: X)

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Pakistan Women bounced back strongly to level the three-match T20I series against South Africa Women with a 13-run victory in the second T20I on Wednesday (September 18). This match was crucial for both sides, with South Africa having won the first T20I and looking to secure the series with a win.

Pakistan Women’s innings

Opting to bat first after losing the toss, Pakistan Women faced an early setback as opener Gull Feroza was dismissed for just 10 runs from 11 balls. However, Muneeba Ali anchored the innings with a vital 45 runs off 34 balls, stabilizing the Pakistan lineup. The middle order contributed significantly, with Sidra Ameen adding a steady 28 runs off 25 deliveries and Nida Dar scoring 29 off 21 balls. Dar’s innings was not only crucial but also marked a personal milestone, as she became the third Pakistani woman to surpass 2000 T20I runs.

Fatima Sana and Aliya Riaz delivered crucial late blows, with Sana scoring an unbeaten 37 off 23 balls and Riaz contributing a rapid 17 not out from just 7 balls. Their contributions propelled Pakistan to a formidable total of 181/4 in 20 overs. In the bowling department for South Africa, Tumi Sekhukhune was the most successful bowler, taking 2 wickets for 27 runs. Sune Luus and Annerie Dercksen also made their mark with one wicket each, but Pakistan managed to set a challenging target.

Also READ: Pakistan vs South Africa, Women’s T20I series: Date, Match Time, Squads, Broadcast and Live Streaming details

South Africa Women’s run chase

South Africa Women began their chase of 182 runs with Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits opening the innings. Wolvaardt contributed 36 runs from 25 balls, but her partner Brits fell early, scoring just 9 runs. The middle order faced a tough challenge, with Anneke Bosch and Nadine de Klerk contributing 16 and 12 runs, respectively, but struggling to accelerate the innings. The game’s turning point came from Sune Luus and Chloe Tryon.

Luus played a scintillating innings, scoring 53* off 29 balls, while Tryon added a quick 30* off 16 balls. Despite their efforts, the target proved too steep. Sadia Iqbal and Nashra Sandhu played pivotal roles in the bowling attack for Pakistan. Iqbal’s early breakthrough and Sandhu’s economical spell were crucial in restricting South Africa to 168/4 in their 20 overs, sealing a 13-run victory for Pakistan. With the series now tied at 1-1, the third and final T20I will be a decisive encounter. The match will be played at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Friday, where both teams will vie for supremacy in what promises to be a gripping conclusion to the series.

Also READ: Grace Harris throws an indirect dig at Steve Smith, David Warner over the ‘sandpaper’ saga

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