Pakistan starts the series against South Africa with a thrilling last-ball victory

Aliya Riaz and Fatima Sana displayed remarkable composure as they guided the Pakistan Women's team to their greatest successful run-chase in T20Is.

Match Summary

Pakistan Women 151/5 (20 ov)

South Africa Women 150/3 (20 ov)

Pakistan Women won by 5 wickets

SCORECARD

Despite the frequent loss of wickets and with Bismah Maroof's 37 (30) being the highest individual score for Pakistan, the hosts managed to successfully chase down 151 against South Africa on the very last ball of the match.

Captain Nida Dar won the toss and chose to field first at the National Bank Stadium. The pitch, favorable for batting, enabled the visiting team to get off to a blazing start. South African captain Laura Wolvaardt, along with Tazmin Brits, ignited the visitor's innings with an explosive powerplay, resulting in a score of 48-0 after the initial six overs.

Pakistan’s left-arm-spin duo of Nashra Sundhu and Sadia Iqbal attempted, and succeeded to slow down the South African assault. The partnership was effectively broken after Wolvaardt lost her wicket to Nashra. Sadia later got Marizanne Kapp out cheaply. Before losing her wicket to Fatima Sana, Brits went on to score her highest score yet in the format; producing a magnificent 78, for which she was awarded player of the match, despite South Africa ending on the losing side.

Pakistani openers Shawaal Zulfiqar – on debut – and Sidra Amin set the tone for the chase. Despite losing wickets – and four of them being run outs – Pakistan did not falter for long. Bismah’s 37 helped provide stability and momentum to the chase, which was then upheld by the impressive partnership of 43 runs between Aliya Riaz and Muneeba Ali, the latter batting at number six for the third time.

The game turned into a thriller, with just eight needed off the last over. Aliya and Fatima rotated the strike effectively, bringing the required run to just one on the last ball. Aliya then took her gloves off in celebration, and relief, after hitting the winning runs.

Celebrations in the Pakistan camp ??

History created in an epic chase in the first T20I against South Africa ??#PAKWvSAW | #BackOurGirls pic.twitter.com/I9K8HgPgRz

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 1, 2023

Match Stats

South Africa Fall of wickets: 1-85 (Laura Wolvaardt - 12.4 ov), 2-143 (Marizanne Kapp - 18.5 ov), 3-145 (Tazmin Brits - 19.4 ov)

Pakistan Fall of wickets:  1-27 (Shawaal Zulfiqar - 3.6 ov), 2-57 (Sidra Ameen - 8.5 ov), 3-66 (Nida Dar - 10.3 ov), 4-100 (Bismah Maroof - 13.4 ov), 5-143 (Muneeba Ali - 18.6 ov)

Playing XI

PAKISTAN WOMEN - Muneeba Ali(WK), Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof, Sidra Ameen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Nida Dar(C), Syeda Aroob Shah, Nashra Sandhu, Diana Baig, Sadia Iqbal, Sana Fatima

SOUTH AFRICA WOMEN - Delmi Tucker, Sinalo Jafta(WK), Laura Wolvaardt(C), Sune Luus, Tazmin Brits, Anneke Bosch, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba

Match Details

Date - 2023-09-01 14:30:00

Venue - National Stadium, Karachi

Toss - Pakistan Women elected to bowl

Umpires - Faisal Afridi (Pakistan), Rashid Riaz (Pakistan), Tariq Rasheed (Pakistan TV)

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