185/5 (20.0)
CR : 9.25
180/9 (20.0)
CR : 9.00
South Africa Women won by 5 wickets 🏆
Player of the Match
Kayla Reyneke
2/1329(16)
12:50 AM IST, 9:20 PM Local Time: PHEW! A dream debut for Kayla Reyneke, who smashed a six off the final ball to take her side over the line in a nail-biter. South Africa Women won by five wickets on the last delivery to take a 1–0 lead in the three-match series.
Earlier, after opting to bat first, Pakistan Women posted a strong 180/9 in their 20 overs. They got off to a shaky start, losing wickets at regular intervals, but skipper Fatima Sana produced a gem of a knock to lift her side to a competitive total. Sana registered her maiden T20I fifty and smashed 90 off just 41 balls before being bowled on the final delivery of the innings. Natalia Pervaiz’s 20 was the next best score for the Women in Green, underlining how Sana almost single-handedly rescued her team from a precarious position.
Ayanda Hlubi picked up three wickets for South Africa but was expensive, conceding 41 runs in her three overs. Kayla Reyneke and Nonkululeko Mlaba claimed two wickets apiece, while Ayabonga Khaka picked up one.
Chasing 181, the hosts got off to a steady start before Sune Luus and skipper Laura Wolvaardt took control of the innings. Wolvaardt led from the front with a classy 61 off 38 balls, while Luus chipped in with a brisk 32 to keep South Africa in the hunt. The hosts lost wickets at regular intervals in the middle overs and looked like they had lost the plot in this game, but Kayla Reyneke had other plans.
The game boiled down to a tense finish, with South Africa needing 20 runs off the final 12 balls. Debutant Kayla Reyneke (29*) showed remarkable composure under pressure, turning the equation to two runs off the final delivery. With nerves jangling, Reyneke launched a biggie off the last ball, sealing a dramatic victory and capping off a dream debut in unforgettable fashion.
Pakistan Women staged a good comeback in the latter half of the innings but lost the plot in the last few overs. Nashra Sandhu bagged a couple of wickets for them, while Humna Bilal and Ayesha Zafar contributed a solitary wicket.
Stay tuned for the post-match presentation.......
Earlier, after opting to bat first, Pakistan Women posted a strong 180/9 in their 20 overs. They got off to a shaky start, losing wickets at regular intervals, but skipper Fatima Sana produced a gem of a knock to lift her side to a competitive total. Sana registered her maiden T20I fifty and smashed 90 off just 41 balls before being bowled on the final delivery of the innings. Natalia Pervaiz’s 20 was the next best score for the Women in Green, underlining how Sana almost single-handedly rescued her team from a precarious position.
Ayanda Hlubi picked up three wickets for South Africa but was expensive, conceding 41 runs in her three overs. Kayla Reyneke and Nonkululeko Mlaba claimed two wickets apiece, while Ayabonga Khaka picked up one.
Chasing 181, the hosts got off to a steady start before Sune Luus and skipper Laura Wolvaardt took control of the innings. Wolvaardt led from the front with a classy 61 off 38 balls, while Luus chipped in with a brisk 32 to keep South Africa in the hunt. The hosts lost wickets at regular intervals in the middle overs and looked like they had lost the plot in this game, but Kayla Reyneke had other plans.
The game boiled down to a tense finish, with South Africa needing 20 runs off the final 12 balls. Debutant Kayla Reyneke (29*) showed remarkable composure under pressure, turning the equation to two runs off the final delivery. With nerves jangling, Reyneke launched a biggie off the last ball, sealing a dramatic victory and capping off a dream debut in unforgettable fashion.
Pakistan Women staged a good comeback in the latter half of the innings but lost the plot in the last few overs. Nashra Sandhu bagged a couple of wickets for them, while Humna Bilal and Ayesha Zafar contributed a solitary wicket.
Stay tuned for the post-match presentation.......
Highest Successful Run Chase by South Africa Women in WT20Is:
185/5- vs Pakistan Women (Potchefstroom, 2026, TONIGHT, T-181)
174/6- vs Pakistan Women (Benoni, 2019, T-173)
166/4- vs England Women (Taunton, 2018, T-161)
185/5- vs Pakistan Women (Potchefstroom, 2026, TONIGHT, T-181)
174/6- vs Pakistan Women (Benoni, 2019, T-173)
166/4- vs England Women (Taunton, 2018, T-161)
Time for the post-match presentation.
Super Six of the Day: Fatima Sana
Player of the Match: Kayla Reyneke
Kayla Reyneke (Player of the Match): "(On emotions) I think my mom also shed tears as she was in the gallery. When I went there, the idea was not to overcomplicate things. I knew I played a few dot balls, but I knew that I could send a few to the stands.
(About performance) Very pleased with the performance. Not about me, it is all about the team winning. Thanks to the coaches for backing me and also the players. Good couple of runs from Wolf (Laura Wolvardt) and a few good spells from Ayanda and the other bowlers."
(About performance) Very pleased with the performance. Not about me, it is all about the team winning. Thanks to the coaches for backing me and also the players. Good couple of runs from Wolf (Laura Wolvardt) and a few good spells from Ayanda and the other bowlers."
Fatima Sana (Pakistan Women Captain): "(About her innings) The pitch was good, and I got the opportunity to bat on it. I just tried to hit the ball cleanly, and it ended up clearing the ropes.
(About positives) The surface was good and we had a strong chance to win the match, but there are still plenty of positives to take away. We need to put in a bit more effort with both the bat and the ball. We’re not far off the mark, but we need to be more disciplined in our bowling. We’ll look to bounce back and win the next game."
(About positives) The surface was good and we had a strong chance to win the match, but there are still plenty of positives to take away. We need to put in a bit more effort with both the bat and the ball. We’re not far off the mark, but we need to be more disciplined in our bowling. We’ll look to bounce back and win the next game."
Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa Women Captain): "Yeah thanks! Really amazing game of cricket. I think pretty nice wicket to bat on. Yes we lost a bit in the chase but the way we came back is awesome.
(On Kayla Reneyke) I do not think that I have seen a better debut. I think just the calm attitude she has helped her. Bowling in the powerplay, taking a wicket. An amazing debut and hitting the winning runs make it special.
(About their approach and improvements) I think there are always areas to improve. But I really liked the way we approached the chase. We were right in it from the start. Fatima batted brilliantly. But yeah, we are happy with the result."
(On Kayla Reneyke) I do not think that I have seen a better debut. I think just the calm attitude she has helped her. Bowling in the powerplay, taking a wicket. An amazing debut and hitting the winning runs make it special.
(About their approach and improvements) I think there are always areas to improve. But I really liked the way we approached the chase. We were right in it from the start. Fatima batted brilliantly. But yeah, we are happy with the result."
That’s all from this enthralling contest, folks! South Africa Women take a 1–0 lead in the three-match T20I series, courtesy of a heroic finish from debutant Kayla Reyneke. We hope you enjoyed our coverage. For now, it’s me, Deepak Prakash, signing off on behalf of my colleagues Saptak Sanyal, Ashok Dayma, and Aman. CHEERS!