Proteas Women Clinch T20I Series 2–1 Despite Clinical Final-Match Defeat to Pakistan
Player of the Match and Series, Fatima Sana, delivered a standout performance with both bat and ball to guide Pakistan to a 53-run victory over the Proteas Women in the third and final T20 International in Benoni on Monday, 16 February 2026.
South Africa won the three-match series 2–1 after the host nation had won the first two fixtures in the series.
Sana struck an unbeaten 47 off 30 balls, including four fours and two sixes, as the visitors posted 144/7 in their 20 overs. The right-arm seamer then returned figures of 2/12, while Sadia Iqbal claimed 3/18 to see the Proteas Women restricted to 91/9. Marizanne Kapp did not bat after falling ill.
The toss went in favour of the visitors, with Pakistan electing to bat first. Openers Muneeba Ali and Gull Feroza were both dismissed without troubling the score, as a run-out by wicketkeeper Karabo Meso, along with a wicket from Masabata Klaas (1/32), provided early breakthroughs.
Ayesha Zafar (19) and Sidra Amin (26) steadied the innings for Pakistan, guiding their side to 46/2 at the end of the powerplay before Zafar was caught off the bowling of Nonkululeko Mlaba (1/22).
Pakistan reached the halfway mark on 61/4 after Amin was run out, before Ayabonga Khaka (1/26) joined the wicket-taking effort by dismissing Natalia Pervaiz (7), leaving the visitors on 73/5 after 12 overs.
Another crucial partnership, this time between Fatima Sana and Aliya Riaz (26), propelled Pakistan to 126/5 with two overs remaining.
Although the stand was eventually broken, with Riaz caught short of her ground in the penultimate over, Pakistan went on to close their innings on a competitive 144/7 after 20 overs.
In pursuit of 145 to win, the Proteas Women experienced early setbacks. Sana and Iqbal picked up two wickets apiece to remove the hosts’ top order, with Tazmin Brits (0), Lara Goodall (11), Laura Wolvaardt (11) and Dané van Niekerk (0) all returning to the dugout, reducing South Africa to 36/4 after six overs.
After losing a flurry of wickets early on, all-rounders Nadine de Klerk (27) and Annerie Dercksen (30) steadied the innings, guiding the home side to 56/4 at the halfway mark, still requiring 89 runs from 60 balls.
Facing disciplined bowling from Pakistan, de Klerk and Dercksen brought up a 50-run partnership before an unfortunate run-out ended Dercksen’s stay at the crease, leaving the Proteas Women on 85/5 after 15 overs.
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Pakistan tightened their grip on the contest with three quick wickets. De Klerk was caught in the deep off Zafar, while two run-outs accounted for Klaas (1) and Khaka (1).
Iqbal then claimed her third wicket of the innings to wrap up the victory with 19 balls to spare, with Kapp ruled out of the remainder of the match due to illness.
Results of the 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)
Mon 16 February: Pakistan beat South Africa by 53 runs (Willowmoore Park, Benoni)
South Africa Playing XI for the 3rd T20I at JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on 16 February 2026
1. Tazmin Brits
2. Lara Goodall
3. Laura Wolvaardt (C)
4. Dané van Niekerk
5. Marizanne Kapp
6. Nadine de Klerk
7. Annerie Dercksen
8. Karabo Meso (Wk)
9. Masabata Klaas
10. Ayabonga Khaka
11. Nonkululeko Mlaba
Reserve Players
12. Suné Luus
13. Kayla Reyneke
14. Ayanda Hlubi
15. Sinalo Jafta
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. Tasmia Rubab
10. Nashra Sandhu
11. Sadia Iqbal
Reserve Players
12. Umm-e-Hani
13. Eyman Fatima
14. Humna Bilal
15. Saira Jabeen
Main Photo Caption: South Africa claimed the three-match T20 International series 2–1 after convincing victories in the first two matches in Potchefstroom and Benoni, at Willowmoore Park on Monday, 16 February, 2026. All Photos: Cricket South Africa
Photo 2 Caption: Player of the Match and Series, Fatima Sana, delivered a standout performance with both bat and ball to guide Pakistan to a 53-run victory on Monday.
Crédito: Link de origem