In the first T20I of the South Africa Women tour of Pakistan 2024, held at the Multan Cricket Stadium, South Africa emerged victorious against Pakistan by 10 runs. The match showcased thrilling moments and highlighted the competitive spirit of both teams.

South Africa posts a competitive total against Pakistan

After winning the toss, Pakistan elected to bowl first. South Africa posted a total of 132 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Tazmin Brits was the standout performer with the bat, scoring an impressive 56 runs off 63 balls, including 5 boundaries. Her innings provided a solid foundation for the visitors, enabling them to set a competitive target.

Other notable contributions came from Sune Luus, who scored 27 runs off 27 balls, and Chloe Tryon, who added a quick 15 off 7 balls. Despite a shaky start, where they found themselves at 41 for 3 the middle order steadied the ship and helped South Africa reach a respectable total.

For Pakistan, Sadia Iqbal was exceptional with the ball, claiming 3 wickets for 34 runs in her 4 overs. Nida Dar also bowled brilliantly, taking 1 wicket for just 11 runs in her spell of 4 overs. The Pakistani bowlers managed to restrict South Africa’s scoring rate effectively, particularly in the middle overs.

Pakistan falters in the run chase

Chasing 133 for victory, Pakistan struggled to find their rhythm early on. They lost their top four batters for just 21 runs, leaving them in a precarious position at 47 for 5. Gull Feroza and Muneeba Ali were dismissed cheaply, while Sidra Ameen and Nida Dar also failed to make significant contributions.

However, Aliya Riaz and Sana Fatima mounted a spirited fightback with an unbeaten partnership of 75 runs for the sixth wicket. Riaz scored a vital 52 runs off 39 balls, hitting 5 fours and 1 six, while Fatima contributed 37 runs off 24 balls, including 5 boundaries. Their efforts brought Pakistan back into contention as they steadily chipped away at the target.

Despite their valiant efforts, Pakistan finished their innings at 122 for 5, falling short by 10 runs. The late surge from Riaz and Fatima was commendable but ultimately not enough to secure victory.

For South Africa, Marizanne Kapp and Tumi Sekhukhune were instrumental in restricting Pakistan’s batting lineup. Kapp took 2 wickets for 22 runs, while Sekhukhune also claimed 2 wickets for just 15 runs in her spell of 3 overs. Their disciplined bowling put pressure on the Pakistani batters early on and played a crucial role in securing the win.

South Africa defeated Pakistan by 10 runs in the 1st T20I 👏

– They take a 1-0 lead in the 3 match T20I series 🏏

Scorecard: https://t.co/Xpdu0jbPx3#women #cricket #PAKvSA #tazminbrits #CricketTwitter #WomenCricket pic.twitter.com/jCyAEfDHpL

— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) September 17, 2024

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

Player of the Match

Tazmin Brits was named Player of the Match for her outstanding performance with the bat, leading from the front and setting up a competitive total for her team.

The two teams will face each other again in the second T20I on September 18 at the same venue, where Pakistan will look to bounce back and level the series against a confident South African side. With both teams showcasing their talents in this opening match, fans can expect another exciting encounter in the upcoming fixture.

Player of the match: Tazmin Brits 🥇#women #cricket #PAKvSA #tazminbrits #southafricacricket #CricketTwitter #WomenCricket pic.twitter.com/qGiPfPTmki

— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) September 17, 2024

Also READ: ICC announces warm-up fixtures for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

For latest cricket news & updates, visit CricketTimes.com.