Pakistan Women’s tour of South Africa was a competitive and closely fought series that had its share of dominant performances and individual brilliance. The tour began with a three-match T20I series, followed by a three-match ODI series. Though South Africa managed to win both the series, Pakistan young captain, Fatima Sana, delivered outstanding all-round performances in the tournament.
The T20I series kicked off with South Africa dominating the first match of the series, winning it by five wickets, followed by a six-wicket win in the second match, winning the series 2-1, despite a strong comeback from the Pakistani team in the third match of the series. In the final T20I, Pakistan managed to win by a strong 53-run margin, indicating their potential in the shortest format of the game.
The biggest positive for Pakistan in the T20I series came in the form of their young captain, Fatima Sana, as she delivered a spectacular performance in the first match of the series, hitting a staggering 90 in just 41 balls when Pakistan were in trouble at 5/64. Her knock, studded with nine fours and seven sixes, was a fearless display of power-hitting and intent. Although Pakistan was on the losing side, her innings paved the way for the series. It also announced her importance not just as a leader but as a batter.
However, in the second T20I, she could only manage 9 runs. But she made an excellent comeback in the third match. She remained not out on 47, which paved the way for Pakistan. Then she took two vital wickets for just 12 runs in her 3 overs hence bowling at the economy of just 4, bowling Pakistan to a famous victory. This goes to show her potential as a bowling all-rounder.
Notably, despite South Africa’s series win and their captain Laura Wolvaardt scoring 112 runs, Fatima Sana finished as the leading run-scorer with her 146 runs, at an average of 73.00. She also claimed 2 wickets in 3 innings.
The ODI series was equally competitive. South Africa won the first two matches by 37 runs and 16 runs. This meant they had already taken the series 2-1. However, Pakistan ended the tour on a high note. In the third ODI Pakistan scored 306 and then bowled out South Africa for 187 in 36.2 overs and won by a massive 119 runs.
Fatima Sana continued her contributions. In the first ODI, she could only manage 5 runs. However, in the second match she came good with a responsible knock of 52. Along with this, she took two wickets, which shows her potential to contribute to all sides of the game. In the third and final ODI, she again produced an outstanding performance. This time, she scored an aggressive 60 off 41 balls. This attacking game forced South Africa to be defensive, and along with this, she took two wickets by giving just 29 runs in her 5 overs. This helped Pakistan win the match.
Sana concluded the ODI leg with 117 runs, at an average of 39.00, and a strike rate of 136.04, and claimed 4 wickets with the ball, maintaining an economy rate of 7.40. A standout for Pakistan again, with both bat and ball.
Although Pakistan could not win the series, the tour can be considered successful for Fatima Sana, injecting life into the innings with both bat and ball. Leading by example, Fatima Sana scored runs fearlessly and bowled responsibly with her medium pace. This shows the maturity and strength of the 24-year-old, giving Pakistan many reasons to look forward.
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