KARACHI: South Africa beat Pakistan by four wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the opening match of the five-match Women’s T20I series at the National Bank Stadium on Tuesday.
Batting first, Pakistan were 0-3 with openers Rawali Farhan and Komal Khan and Rahima Syed not scoring.
The Girls in Green bounced back with Jufishan Ayyas and Aqsa Habib who steadied the innings with a crucial 61-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Aqsa top-scored with 38 off 50 balls, hitting six fours before he was dismissed. Jubishan scored 30 runs off 40 balls including 4 fours while skipper Fissa Fiyaz scored 14 runs off 21 balls with 2 fours.
Shahr Bano provided the late impetus with an unbeaten 18 off 7 balls with 2 fours and a six as Pakistan posted 103-6 in their allotted 20 overs.
Ashley van Wyk was brilliant with the ball for South Africa, returning impressive figures of 3/15 from four overs. Mia Lore took two wickets and Melissa van der Merwe took one wicket.
In reply, South Africa chased down 104 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in 16 overs. Opener Chanel Venter chased the match with a 41 off 32 balls including 3 fours and 2 sixes.
Chris-Marie Besuidenhout added 22 runs off 20 balls with 4 fours, while Mia Lawler contributed a brisk 14 off 11 balls.
For Pakistan, Maham Nasqat and Shahr Bano claimed two wickets each, but their efforts were not enough to prevent South Africa from winning.