PAK-W vs SA-W 2024, 3rd T20I review: South Africa clinch series 2-1 after winning closing T20I

Pakistan women and South Africa women locked horns in the final T20I game of the series by facing off at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Friday, September 20. Meanwhile, this game was the series decider, as the visitors won the first T20I and the hosts were coming off a commanding win in the second T20I, leveling the series 1-1.   

The third T20I, however, began with South Africa women's skipper Laura Wolvaardt calling it correctly at the toss and asking the hosts to bat first. The side got off to a solid start to the innings as openers Gull Feroza and Muneeba Ali put on a 50-run opening stand within six overs. Just as the powerplay got over, the tourists drew the first blood in the form of Feroza, departing after a run-a-ball 18. Her partner Ali also fell in no time but walked back after adding those crucial 33 runs. 

From there, Sidra Amin partnered up with Nida Dar in hopes of posting a commanding total. After a 32-run partnership, Nonkululeko Mlaba got an important breakthrough for her side as she sent Dar packing after a seven-ball 12. Amin was next joined by skipper Fatima Sana, who then went on to put another brilliant 46-run stand. Amin and Sana were dismissed after smashing 37 and 27 runs, respectively. 

With important partnerships from their batters, the host managed to post 153/5 in their allotted 20 overs. As for South Africa, Chloe Tryon, Tumi Sekhukhune, Mlaba, and Sune Luus picked one wicket each.

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South Africa win series 2-1

South African women got off to a horrid start, as opener Tazmin Brits walked back after a first-ball duck. After the shaky start to the run chase, skipper Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch aimed to stabilize the chase. Both the batters were affected by the shaky start as they were smashing the Pakistani bowlers all over the park and put on 57 runs in the powerplay.

Though both batters were going in sync, Bosch decided to retire hurt after a well-crafted 46. Throughout her innings, she smashed six boundaries and one six. Proteas skipper was the last wicket to fall for the side as she walked back after a crucial 37-ball 45, lacing her innings with two boundaries and two sixes.

From there, Annerie Dercksen put on a match-winning 51-run stand with Sune Luus to seal the game and win the series for her side. Dercksen smashed a quickfire 44, smashing six boundaries and two towering sixes. South Africa ended their innings on 154/2 and won the game by eight wickets with nine balls to spare.