PAK-W vs SA-W | Tazmin Brits' fifty and Marizanne Kapp's stellar spell power South Africa to victory over Pakistan

ByDebayan Sinha, SportsCafe Editor

09/16/2024

South Africa defeated Pakistan by 10 runs in the first T20I at Multan. The Proteas' innings were anchored by Tazmin Brits’ half-century, which guided them to 132/4 in 20 overs while Fatima Sana and Aliya Riaz’s 75-run stand went in vain as the Proteas restricted the Pakistan batters to 122/5.

As Pakistan and South Africa geared up for the T20 World Cup, a breezy evening in Multan set the stage for the first T20I. Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana won the toss and chose to bowl first, a decision that quickly paid off. In the third over, Sadia Iqbal struck twice, removing Laura Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch, leaving South Africa reeling at 2/2. Despite the early setback, Marizanne Kapp and Tazmin Brits stabilized the innings, guiding South Africa to 37/2 by the end of the powerplay. Just as the pair began to build momentum, Nida Dar delivered a crucial breakthrough by dismissing Kapp in the eighth over. At the halfway mark, South Africa stood at 47/3, with Brits and Sune Luus at the crease. However, the game was temporarily interrupted for 10 minutes due to a power failure in one of the floodlights. After the delay, Brits and Luus resumed their partnership, constructing a solid 57-run stand, which brought the Proteas to 94/3 by the 16th over. The partnership was eventually broken when Sadia Iqbal struck again, dismissing Luus in the 19th over. Brits, however, continued her fine form, reaching a half-century off 60 balls, and South Africa finished with a respectable total of 132/4 in their 20 overs.

In response to South Africa’s total, Pakistan had a disastrous start, losing Gull Feroza and Sidra Ameen during the powerplay. The hosts found themselves in trouble at 10/2 after four overs, with Muneeba Ali and Nida Dar at the crease. Their troubles worsened when Muneeba Ali fell in the fifth over, courtesy of a superb catch by debutant Seshnie Naidu. Soon after, Sadaf Shamas was also dismissed, leaving Pakistan in deep trouble at 30/4 by the ninth over. However, Dar and Aliya Riaz began to stabilize the innings, finding occasional boundaries and giving Pakistan some hope. At the halfway mark, Pakistan’s score stood at 42/4, with 91 runs needed for victory. The partnership was crucial, but it was broken in the 13th over when Tumi Sekhukhune dismissed Dar, leaving Pakistan at 50/5 and needing 81 runs from the final seven overs. Fatima Sana and Aliya Riaz then counter-attacked, putting together a quick 30-run stand and pushing the score to 77/5 by 15.1 overs. With 56 runs required from 29 balls, the pair looked dangerous, but the South African bowlers kept the pressure on, preventing any breakthroughs in scoring. With 30 runs needed from the final over, Pakistan's chances were slim. Ultimately, the hosts could only reach 122/5 in their 20 overs, falling short by 10 runs as South Africa sealed the win.

May be looks like that here!

Is it very difficult to play cricket nowadays??

— Tanishq verma (@Tanishqv119)

Very heartbreaking!

Pakistan Women lost the 1st T20i match by 10 runs against South Africa Women in Pakistan 😂

Padosiyo kahi nahi jit pa rahe ho. Monday kaisa jaa raha hai
— Rushabh Patwa (@dodo_rp301985)

LOL! No bad comments!

Who is this female commentator at the Pakistan Women vs South Africa Women match?

Laura Wolvaardt just dropped a catch and the commentator said:- Simple catch drop by Loda 😂😂😂😂😂

Standard of Pakistani’s 🤪
— Rushabh Patwa (@dodo_rp301985)

Atleast there are few now!