Fatima Sana’s all-round brilliance defined Pakistan’s campaign in the three-match T20I series against South Africa, as the captain finished with 146 runs and two wickets across the contest. While Pakistan went down 2-1 in the series, Fatima’s performances were influential enough to earn her the Player of the Series award, and she also picked up the Player of the Match honour in the final T20I.
The tone was set in the opening T20I at Potchefstroom, where Pakistan were batting first and found themselves in deep trouble at 64 for 6. What followed was one of the most explosive innings of Fatima’s career. She smashed 90 off just 41 deliveries, striking nine fours and seven sixes at a remarkable strike rate of 219.51. Her counterattack lifted Pakistan to 180 for 9 in their 20 overs, a total that would have looked unlikely without her intervention.
The 90 was the highest individual score of the series and accounted for more than 60 percent of her total runs in the three matches. Despite setting 180, Pakistan were unable to defend the target as South Africa completed the chase with five wickets in hand.
The second T20I in Benoni proved far more challenging for Pakistan’s batting unit. Bowled out for 100, they struggled to build partnerships, and Fatima was unable to replicate her heroics from the opener. With the ball, she delivered three overs for 21 runs but went wicketless as South Africa chased down the target with 4 balls and 6 wickets in hand to seal the series.
Fatima returned strongly in the third and final T20I. Batting first once again, Pakistan posted 144 for 7, with their captain contributing an unbeaten 47 off 30 balls. Her innings included four boundaries and two sixes and came at a strike rate of 156.66. She paced the innings smartly, accelerating at the back end to ensure Pakistan crossed the 140-mark after early wickets had put pressure on the middle order.
She then produced her most effective spell with the ball in the series. Fatima claimed 2 for 12 in three overs, conceding just four runs per over and breaking key partnerships during South Africa’s chase. The hosts were bowled out for 91 in 16.5 overs, giving Pakistan a commanding 53-run victory in the final match. Her combined impact of 47 not out and 2 for 12 earned her the Player of the Match award.
Across the three matches, Fatima’s final series figures read 146 runs at an average of 48.66 and two wickets. Her 90 in the first T20I stood as the standout innings of the contest, while her all-round display in the decider highlighted her leadership and composure under pressure. Batting largely in the lower middle order, she provided stability and late acceleration, often rescuing or strengthening Pakistan’s totals.
Although Pakistan did not win the series, Fatima Sana emerged as its most consistent and impactful performer from her side. At 24, she continues to grow into her role as Pakistan’s premier T20 all-rounder, capable of shaping matches with both bat and ball, a fact underlined by her twin awards at the end of the series.
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