Clinical Ayabonga Khaka and Unbeaten Laura Wolvaardt Power Proteas to 2-0 Lead Over Pakistan
Ayabonga Khaka and Laura Wolvaardt produced leading performances as the Proteas Women claimed a six-wicket triumph over Pakistan in the second T20 International (T20I) in Benoni on Friday, 13 February, 2026.
Khaka returned figures of three for 10 in her two overs to help restrict Pakistan to 100/9 in a rain-reduced 14 overs before Wolvaardt top-scored with an unbeaten 40* off 29 balls to guide South Africa to a 2-0 series lead, with one match left to play.
Following a delay of almost two hours due to inclement weather, the hosts won the toss and elected to bowl first. The opening seam pair of Marizanne Kapp (1/25) and Masabata Klaas (2/14) removed three of Pakistan’s top four batters. Muneeba Ali (12) was bowled by Kapp, before Klaas accounted for Gull Feroza (4) and Eyman Fatima (0), leaving the visitors on 28/3 in the revised powerplay.
Pakistan then lost their fifth wicket in the following over, with wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta running out Zafar to reduce the subcontinent outfit to 61/5 after eight overs.
Disciplined bowling from the South Africans continued as youngster Kayla Reyneke (1/16) claimed her third international wicket, dismissing the dangerous Fatima Sana (9), before Nonkululeko Mlaba (1/16) joined the wicket-taking effort by bowling Tuba Hassan (5).
Heading into the final three overs on 78/7, Pakistan managed to add a valuable 22 runs despite a double strike from Khaka in the penultimate over, as the tourists closed on 100/9 in their allotted 14 overs.
In their chase of 101 runs for victory, the Proteas Women made a solid start with bat in hand through openers Tazmin Brits (29) and Suné Luus (13), racing to 30/0 in the fourth over before Luus was trapped LBW by Sadia Iqbal (2/15).
That breakthrough did little to slow the home side’s momentum, as Brits and captain Laura Wolvaardt (40*) combined for a 36-run partnership for the second wicket to put the Proteas firmly in control.
The stand was eventually broken when Iqbal claimed her second wicket of the evening, with Brits caught in the deep. Pakistan struck again soon after, removing Dané van Niekerk (3) leg-before to leave South Africa on 71/3 after 10 overs.
Requiring 30 runs for victory from the final four overs, Wolvaardt led with composure, sharing a 29-run partnership with Marizanne Kapp (9), before the skipper and Nadine de Klerk (4*) wrapped up the contest with four balls to spare.
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The third and final T20I will take place on Monday, 16 February, at Willowmoore Park in Benoni.
Results and Fixtures – Proteas Women’s Inbound T20I Series against Pakistan
Tue 10 February: South Africa beat Pakistan by 5 wickets (JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom)
Fri 13 February: South Africa beat Pakistan by 6 wickets (Willowmoore Park, Benoni)
Monday, 16 February at 18:00 – 3rd T20I – South Africa vs Pakistan (Willowmoore Park, Benoni)
South Africa Playing XI for the 2nd T20I at JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on 13 February 2026
1. Tazmin Brits
2. Suné Luus
3. Laura Wolvaardt (C)
4. Dané van Niekerk
5. Marizanne Kapp
6. Nadine de Klerk
7. Kayla Reyneke
8. Sinalo Jafta (Wk)
9. Masabata Klaas
10. Ayabonga Khaka
11. Nonkululeko Mlaba
Reserve Players
12. Lara Goodall
13. Annerie Dercksen
14. Ayanda Hlubi
15. Karabo Meso
Pakistan Women Playing XI
1. Muneeba Ali
2. Gull Feroza
3. Ayesha Zafar
4. Sidra Amin
5. Nataila Parvaiz
6. Aliya Riaz
7. Fatima Sana (C)
8. Tuba Hassan
9. Humna Bilal
10. Nashra Sandhu
11. Sadia Iqbal
Reserve Players
12. Umm-e-Hani
13. Eyman Fatima
14. Tasmia Rubab
15. Saira Jabeen
Main Photo Caption: Unbeaten SA skipper Laura Wolvaardt top-scored in Benoni to ensure South Africa secured a 2-nil lead in the three-match T20I at JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on Friday, 13 February 2026. All Photos: Cricket South Africa
Photo 2 Caption: Player of the Match Ayabonga Khaka starred in the Proteas Women’s cause with three wickets for a miserly 10 runs in her two overs.
Crédito: Link de origem