ISLAMABAD: Pakistan women's cricket team on Monday swept a three-match T20 International series against South Africa after winning the third match by six runs at the National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi.
Pakistan had already won the first two matches of the series which began on September 1. In the opening game, the hosts secured a five-wicket victory before continuing the winning streak with a six-wicket triumph again South Africa.
The series proved historical for Pakistan since it was their first-ever T20I series victory against the Proteas, breaking new ground in their cricketing journey. It was also their first series win since they emerged victorious against Sri Lanka back in 2022.
“This outstanding performance of the Pakistan women’s team is of extraordinary importance as they have won this series against the world number five team that had played the final of T20 Women’s World Cup this year,” the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement.
In the third match, South Africa won the toss and opted to field. Pakistan managed to score 150 runs for the loss of five wickets in the allotted 20 overs.
In response, South Africa posted a total of 144 runs on the scoreboard and lost five wickets by the end of the game.
Pakistan’s first wicket tumbled on 41 when Shawaal Zulfiqar was caught by Nonkululeko Mlaba after contributing 18 runs. Subsequently, Bisma Maroof and Sidra Ameen added 49 runs to the team’s total while trying to consolidate their second-wicket partnership.
Ameen departed from the crease after notching up 39 runs, aided by four boundaries. Meanwhile, Maroof delivered a 39-run innings, featuring three fours.
South African captain Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits gave their team a stable start, accumulating 31 runs together. However, Nashra Sandhu claimed Brits’ wicket who had made 18 runs.
Sandhu secured her second wicket by dismissing Anneke Bosch, who had contributed 10 runs at that point. South Africa’s total stood at just 61 runs when this wicket fell, but captain Wolvaardt took charge and tried to lead her team toward victory by scoring 72 runs before she was dismissed by Sadia Iqbal.
The two teams are set to continue their cricketing battle with a series of three One-Day International (ODI) matches scheduled in Karachi on September 8, 11, and 14. These ODIs will also be significant as they are part of the ICC Championship.
