Luus’ fifty goes in vain as Pakistan thump South Africa in second T20I

MULTAN: Sune Luus’ fighting half-century failed to eclipse Muneeba Ali’s anchoring 45-run knock as Pakistan thumped South Africa in the second Women’s T20I of the three-match series here at Multan Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

Set to chase 182, South Africa could amass 168/4 despite an unbeaten 80-run partnership between Luus and Chloe Tryon.

The touring side had an unwanted start to the pursuit as they lost their in-form opener Tazmin Brits (9) in the third over with just 12 runs on the board.

South African skipper Laura Wolvaardt was then joined by Anneke Bosch and the duo batted sensibly to anchor the run chase.

Wolvaardt and Bosch added a cautious 50 runs for the second wicket before both perished in quick succession, leaving the Proteas women reeling at 84/3 in 11.4 overs.

Bosch made a run-a-ball 24 while Wolvaardt scored 36 off just 25 balls with the help of six boundaries including a six.

The visitors then sustained another blow to their pursuit as they lost Nadine de Klerk in the next over.

South Africa were in deep trouble at 88/4 in 13 overs, needing a further 94 runs in 42 balls when Luus, alongside Chloe Tryon, launched a counterattack.

The duo went after the Pakistan bowlers and glimmered a ray of hope for a series-clinching victory but, in the end, fell just 13 runs short.

Luus remained the top-scorer for South Africa with an unbeaten half-century, scoring 53 off just 39 deliveries with the help of six boundaries and a six while Tryon made 30 not out in just 16 balls.

For Pakistan, Sadia Iqbal and Nashra Sandhu bagged two wickets each.

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Put into bat first, Pakistan registered 181/4 in the allotted 20 overs, their highest total in the history of Women’s T20Is.

Pakistan, however, had a contrasting start to their innings as they lost their opener Gull Feroza in the third over with 25 runs on the board.

But, Muneeba joined forces with Sidra Ameen and put the home side in a comfortable position with a 49-run partnership which lasted with her dismissal in the 11th over.

The wicketkeeper batter remained the top-scorer for Pakistan with a 34-ball 45 which featured six fours and two sixes.

Sidra followed suit two overs later when she was cleaned up by Sune Luus. She scored 28 off 25 deliveries, hitting three fours and a six.

Skipper Fatima Sana promoted herself and came out to bat at No.5. Her decision bore fruits as she knitted a crucial 60-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Nida Dar, who perished in the penultimate over after scoring an anchoring 29 off 21 balls.

All-rounder Aliya Riaz then bolstered Pakistan’s total with a quickfire 17-run cameo. She smashed two fours and a six amid her seven-ball knock.

Fatima Sana remained unbeaten with 37 off 23 deliveries, laced up with three fours and two sixes.

For South Africa, Tumi Sekhukhune bagged two wickets while Luus and Annerie Dercksen shared two wickets between them.

The 13-run victory lifted Pakistan to level the three-match series against South Africa 1-1. The third and final T20I will be played on Friday at the same venue.

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