Fatima Sana produced a remarkable all‑round performance but Pakistan fell short as South Africa chased down 127 to win by two wickets in a thrilling ICC Women’s T20 World Cup match at Edgbaston. Pakistan’s captain scored an unbeaten 55 off 38 balls becoming the highest scorer at No.8 or lower in Women’s T20 World Cups and took 3-16 with the ball, the first captain in the tournament’s history to record a fifty and take three wickets in the same match across all 10 ICC Women’s T20 World Cups. Fatima and Tuba Hassan also stitched a record ninth‑wicket stand of 71, the highest ninth‑wicket partnership in Women’s T20 World Cup history and the second‑highest in WT20Is, which rescued Pakistan from 50 for 8 to a competitive 126/9.
Chasing 127, South Africa looked in control when Annerie Dercksen struck 52 off 35 balls, but Pakistan’s bowlers fought back. Fatima removed Sune Luus, Nadine de Klerk and Sinalo Jafta, while Tuba and Nashra produced key breakthroughs late in the innings. Sadia Iqbal picked up two crucial wickets in the middle overs to keep South Africa under pressure, and the match went down to the wire with Pakistan defending desperately. South Africa reached the target with 19 balls to spare after a tense finish.
Pakistan now face Bangladesh at the Hampshire Bowl in Southampton on Saturday, 20 June (2:30 pm local / 6:30 pm PKT). Full scorecards and match statistics are available on the ICC website.
