A dramatic six off the final delivery sealed a five-wicket victory for South Africa over Pakistan Women in the opening T20I at Potchefstroom, with debutant Kayla Reyneke announcing herself in unforgettable fashion through a match-winning all-round performance.
Batting first, Pakistan Women recovered from a precarious position to post a competitive 180 for 9, thanks largely to a breathtaking late assault by captain Fatima Sana. Walking in with her side struggling at 64 for 6 in the 10th over, Sana produced a sensational counterattack, smashing 90 runs off just 41 deliveries at a strike rate of 219. Her innings, studded with nine boundaries and seven towering sixes, marked her maiden T20I half-century and also set a new benchmark for the highest individual score by a woman batting at No. 7 or lower in the format.
Aside from Fatima Sana’s heroics, Pakistan found little momentum through the innings. Natalia Pervaiz’s 20 off 17 balls was the only other double-digit contribution, as wickets fell regularly around her. For the hosts, Ayanda Hlubi led the bowling effort with three scalps, while debutant Reyneke impressed immediately, claiming 2 for 13 in four overs at a remarkable economy rate of 3.20.
Chasing their highest-ever target in Women’s T20Is, South Africa showed early control. Captain Laura Wolvaardt anchored the innings with a fluent 61 off 38 balls, stitching together partnerships of 62 with Sune Luus and 46 with Dane van Niekerk as the Proteas raced to 133 for 2. However, Wolvaardt’s stumping off Nashra Sandhu triggered a brief wobble, with three wickets falling for just 14 runs in 12 balls, suddenly tilting the contest back in Pakistan’s favour.
That’s when Reyneke stepped in again. Displaying calm beyond her years, the former South Africa Under-19 captain combined with Annerie Dercksen to steady the chase. Their unbroken 38-run stand took the match down to the wire. Reyneke’s towering six off Sana in the penultimate over reduced the equation to 10 needed off the final six balls.
Pakistan handed the ball to debutant seamer Humna Bilal for the last over. Reyneke drilled a boundary off the third delivery before singles off the next two balls left South Africa needing two off the final ball. Reyneke then produced the defining moment of the match, launching the delivery over extra cover for a decisive six to spark celebrations among the home crowd.
Finishing unbeaten on 29* off 16 balls, Reyneke capped a dream international debut, complementing her impactful spell with the ball and earning Player of the Match honours. South Africa completed their highest successful run chase in Women’s T20Is, and the third-highest overall, to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.