Argentina Women and Canada Women returned to St George’s College Ground, Buenos Aires, for the fifth T20I of their seven-match series, but unlike the previous encounter, it was Canada Women who produced a composed all-round performance to register an eight-wicket victory with an over to spare. In a shortened 10-over contest, every delivery carried additional importance, and Canada adapted far better to the format.
A disciplined bowling display restricted Argentina to a modest total before Krima Kapadia and Harper Chalmers anchored a calm chase that ensured the visitors ended Argentina’s winning run. Hasini Santhoshkumar, who starred with the ball by claiming two crucial wickets, was deservedly named the Player of the Match, helping Canada reduce the series deficit to 3-1. The contest highlighted the importance of partnerships, sharp fielding and disciplined bowling in a shortened T20I, with Canada executing their plans far more efficiently than the hosts.
Asked to bat first, Argentina Women began brightly through captain Maria Castiñeiras, who immediately looked to take advantage of the powerplay. Opening alongside Albertina Galan, Castiñeiras played positively from the outset, finding boundaries regularly and ensuring Argentina maintained a healthy scoring rate despite the reduced number of overs. The opening pair stitched together a promising 44-run partnership, the highest stand of the innings, giving the hosts exactly the kind of platform they needed.
Castiñeiras led the charge with an aggressive 32 off just 21 deliveries, striking one four and two sixes at a strike rate exceeding 150, while Galan played the perfect supporting role, rotating the strike effectively. Argentina appeared well placed before the breakthrough finally arrived when Castiñeiras was run out following excellent work from Khadeeja Fatima and Hasini Santhoshkumar, ending the opening stand at 44/1 in 5.1 overs.
The dismissal of the captain completely changed the momentum of the innings. Julia Andújar managed only 1 run before she too was run out following another sharp piece of fielding involving Vritti Dahiya and Khadeeja Fatima. From there, Canada’s bowlers applied relentless pressure. Milagros Bestani was dismissed without scoring after edging Singdha Malhotra to Mannat Hundal, while Malena Lollo contributed only 4 from 5 balls before becoming Hasini Santhoshkumar’s first wicket, caught safely by Khadeeja Fatima.
Within a span of just a few deliveries, Argentina had slipped from a commanding position into trouble as wickets continued to tumble. Ana Dei Castelli departed for a duck, also falling to Hasini Santhoshkumar after another sharp catch by Khadeeja Fatima, leaving the hosts struggling to rebuild. The middle-order collapse prevented Argentina from capitalising on the strong foundation laid by their openers.
Despite the flurry of wickets, Albertina Galan held one end together with a composed unbeaten 19 from 22 deliveries, ensuring Argentina batted through the innings. However, she found little support at the other end. Tamara Basile added only 1 before becoming the third run-out victim of the innings after excellent work from Elyssa Sun and Khadeeja Fatima, while Alina Emch scored 4 before being run out in the final over through another outstanding piece of fielding involving Khadeeja Fatima and Mannat Hundal.
Argentina eventually closed on 71/7 in their allotted 10 overs, with 10 extras slightly boosting the total. While the opening partnership had promised a much bigger score, Canada’s excellent bowling combined with outstanding fielding, including four run-outs or direct involvement in dismissals, ensured Argentina never found momentum after losing their captain.
Canada’s bowling attack complemented their fielding effort brilliantly. Hasini Santhoshkumar delivered the decisive spell, finishing with excellent figures of 2/12 in two overs, removing both Malena Lollo and Ana Dei Castelli during the crucial middle phase while maintaining control under pressure. Singdha Malhotra also bowled impressively, returning 1/13 in two overs, dismissing the dangerous Milagros Bestani before she could settle.
Harper Chalmers was economical with 0/10 from two overs, consistently testing the batters with disciplined lines, while Mannat Hundal conceded only three runs in her solitary over. Shreya Voya and Rabbjyot Rajput remained wicketless but played their roles by keeping the scoring under control. More importantly, Canada’s fielding was exceptional, with Khadeeja Fatima playing a central role in multiple dismissals through catches and run-outs, turning several half-chances into wickets.
Chasing 72 for victory, Canada Women started confidently despite losing an early wicket. Achini Perera looked positive during her brief stay, scoring 12 from 9 balls with a boundary before becoming Constanza Sosa’s only wicket, caught by Clara Valencia, leaving Canada at 25/1 in 2.5 overs. The dismissal brought Krima Kapadia to the crease alongside Harper Chalmers, and together they produced the defining partnership of the chase. The pair settled quickly before gradually accelerating, ensuring there were no unnecessary risks despite the modest target.
Krima played fluently through the off-side, compiling an impressive 27 off 21 balls, including two boundaries, while Harper remained composed, rotating the strike and punishing loose deliveries whenever opportunities arose. Their 30-run second-wicket partnership took Canada firmly into a winning position before Krima was unfortunately run out at 55/2 in 7.2 overs, courtesy of good work from Constanza Sosa and Milagros Bestani.
With only a handful of runs remaining, Hasini Santhoshkumar joined Harper Chalmers to finish the chase without further drama. Harper remained unbeaten on 19 from 21 deliveries, anchoring the innings with maturity, while Hasini added a quick 7 not out off only four balls, striking a boundary to seal the contest in style. Canada comfortably reached 75/2 in nine overs, completing the chase with six balls remaining and securing an important victory that kept the series alive. Although it was not a high-scoring encounter, Canada’s measured approach ensured the target was never allowed to become complicated, with partnerships and sensible batting proving more valuable than aggressive stroke-making.
Argentina’s bowlers worked hard but simply did not have enough runs to defend. Clara Valencia picked up the only wicket with figures of 1/21 from one over. Albertina Galan bowled tidily, conceding 13 runs in two overs, while Constanza Sosa returned figures of 0/10 (1). Julia Andújar finished with economical figures of 0/12 from two overs, and both Ana Dei Castelli and Alina Emch remained wicketless despite disciplined efforts. Ultimately, Canada’s batting unit managed the chase with confidence, while Hasini Santhoshkumar’s match-winning spell with the ball proved to be the biggest difference between the two teams.
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