Under the lights in Benoni, the second T20I of Pakistan Women’s tour of South Africa 2026 unfolded as a gripping, low-scoring contest that showcased disciplined bowling and calculated chasing. In a match that kept the momentum swinging, it was the South Africa women’s national cricket team who held their nerve to defeat the Pakistan women’s national cricket team by six wickets with four balls to spare, taking a 2-0 lead in the T20I series.
Asked to bat first in this crucial T20I clash, Pakistan’s innings never truly found sustained rhythm. The opening pair of Muneeba Ali and Gull Feroza looked to settle in, but the pressure from South Africa’s new-ball attack was immediate. Muneeba Ali struck two crisp boundaries in her 12 off 12 balls before she was bowled by Marizanne Kapp at 15/1 in 2.3 overs. Just six balls later, Gull Feroza fell for 4 (6), caught by Mlaba off Masabata Klaas, leaving Pakistan reeling at 24/2 in 3.3 overs.
Eyman Fatima was bowled by Klaas for 0, and Natalia Pervaiz’s promising 12 (10) ended when she was caught by Reyneke off Ayabonga Khaka at 47/4 in 6.2 overs. Ayesha Zafar injected urgency with a brisk 13 off just 8 balls, striking at 162.50, but a sharp piece of fielding resulted in her run out at 52/5 in 7.1 overs. Captain Fatima Sana contributed 9 (8), but her dismissal at 67/6 in 9.3 overs further dented Pakistan’s hopes.
The only substantial resistance came from Aliya Riaz, who played a fighting knock of 20 off 18 balls with three boundaries. However, Khaka struck again to remove her at 91/8 in 12.3 overs. Tuba Hassan (5) and Humna Bilal (1) departed in quick succession, as Pakistan slipped to 99/9 in 12.6 overs. A late push from Nashra Sandhu (7* off 11) and Sadia Iqbal (2* off 2) ensured they batted out the full 14 overs, finishing on 100/9 at a run rate of 7.14.
South Africa’s bowlers were clinical throughout this T20I encounter. Ayabonga Khaka was the standout performer, claiming 3 for 10 in her two overs, earning her the Player of the Match award. Masabata Klaas picked up 2 for 14, while Marizanne Kapp (1/25), Nonkululeko Mlaba (1/16), and Kayla Reyneke (1/16) chipped in effectively. Nadine de Klerk remained wicketless but maintained pressure.
Chasing 101 in 14 overs, South Africa began cautiously but confidently. Sune Luus and Tazmin Brits put on 30 runs for the opening wicket before Luus was trapped lbw by Sadia Iqbal for 13 (14) at 30/1 in 3.2 overs. Brits, however, continued positively, finding gaps and rotating strike.
Brits added 36 runs with Laura Wolvaardt for the second wicket. She eventually fell for 29 (25), caught by Aliya Riaz off Sadia Iqbal at 66/2 in 8.6 overs. Wolvaardt anchored the innings beautifully, displaying her trademark composure in T20 cricket. Dane van Niekerk managed just 3 (4) before being dismissed lbw by Tuba Hassan at 71/3 in 9.6 overs.
Marizanne Kapp’s cameo of 9 (8) kept the chase on track before she was caught by Aliya Riaz off Humna Bilal at 100/4 in 13.1 overs. By then, the equation was firmly in South Africa’s favor. Wolvaardt remained unbeaten on a classy 40 off 29 balls, striking four boundaries at a strike rate of 137.93. Nadine de Klerk hit a boundary off the only ball she faced, sealing the win at 104/4 in 13.2 overs with a run rate of 7.80.
For Pakistan, Sadia Iqbal was the most successful bowler with 2 for 15 in her three overs. Tuba Hassan (1/23) and Humna Bilal (1/17) claimed a wicket each, while Fatima Sana (0/21) and Nashra Sandhu (0/24) tried to stem the flow but couldn’t prevent South Africa from completing a professional chase.
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