MULTAN: Pakistan secured a 13-run victory over South Africa in the second T20I at Multan Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, leveling the three-match series 1-1.
Nida Dar made history by becoming the third Pakistani woman to surpass 2,000 T20I runs, while captain Fatima Sana’s unbeaten 37 guided Pakistan to their highest-ever T20I score of 181/4.
Despite winning the first T20I by 10 runs, South Africa could not chase down the target, finishing at 168/4. Sune Luus (53 not out) and Chloe Tryon (30 not out) put up a valiant, unbroken 80-run partnership but couldn’t close the gap.
Pakistan’s innings got off to a solid start with Gull Feroza and Muneeba Ali’s 25-run opening stand in just 3.2 overs before Gull departed for 10. Player-of-the-match Muneeba Ali smashed an aggressive 45, which included six fours and two sixes, while Sidra Amin contributed a valuable 28, hitting three fours and a six. Together, they took Pakistan to 74/2 by the halfway mark.
Nida Dar chipped in with 29, striking four boundaries, while Fatima Sana’s unbeaten 37, including three fours and two sixes, powered Pakistan’s late surge. Aliya Riaz added 17 not out with two fours and a six.
For South Africa, Tumi Sekhukhune stood out with 2/30.
In response, South Africa’s chase faltered early as Tazmin Brits fell for nine. Captain Laura Wolvaardt kept South Africa in the hunt with a 36-run knock, laced with five fours and a six, but her departure in the ninth over slowed the momentum.
Anneke Bosch (24) and Nadine de Klerk (12) added some resistance, but both fell soon after, leaving South Africa at 88/4 after 13 overs.
Luus and Tryon tried to bring their side back into the game with a strong fifth-wicket stand. Luus hammered six fours and a six, while Tryon added five boundaries, but it wasn’t enough to chase down Pakistan’s target.
Nashra Sundhu and Sadia Iqbal were the standout bowlers for Pakistan, taking two wickets each.
Reflecting on the win, Muneeba Ali acknowledged the team’s improvement. “In the last match, our performance wasn’t up to the mark. We had honest conversations and knew we had to step up. That aggressive approach is how we want to play going forward,” she said.
South African captain Laura Wolvaardt pointed to their inability to limit Pakistan’s scoring. “We leaked too many runs, and the extras we conceded made a big difference,” she admitted.
The series decider will take place on Friday.
Scores in brief:
Pakistan: 181/4 in 20 overs (Muneeba Ali 45, Fatima Sana 37 not out; Tumi Sekhukhune 2-30)
South Africa: 168/4 in 20 overs (Sune Luus 53 not out, Laura Wolvaardt 36; Nashra Sundhu 2-20, Sadia Iqbal 2-27).
