Aliya’s fifty goes in vain as South Africa edge Pakistan in first T20I

MULTAN: Aliya Riaz failed to eclipse Tazmin Brits’ half-century as South Africa edged Pakistan by 10 runs in the first Women’s T20I of the three-match series here at Multan Cricket Stadium on Monday.

Set to chase 133, Pakistan fell just 10 runs short from pulling the victory as they could raise 122/5 despite a handy partnership between Fatima Sana and Aliya.

The home side got off to an unwanted start to the pursuit as they lost four wickets inside eight overs with just 21 runs on the board.

Following the debacle, Aliya Riaz joined experienced all-rounder Nida Dar in the middle and tried to stabilize the run chase.

Aliya and Nida registered a cautious 26-run partnership for the fifth wicket which lasted with the latter’s dismissal in the 13th over. Dar scored a scratchy 16 off 26 deliveries.

Skipper Fatima Sana then joined forces with Aliya Riaz in the middle when Pakistan needed 86 runs off 44 deliveries.

The pair made a valiant effort to snatch a thrilling victory for Pakistan with an unbeaten 75-run partnership but fell agonizingly short.

Aliya remained the top-scorer for Pakistan with a 39-ball 52, featuring five fours and a six while Fatima made 37 not out with the help of five boundaries.

For South Africa, Marizanne Kapp and Tumi Sekhukhune bagged two wickets each while Seshnie Naidu made one scalp.

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Put into bat first, South Africa accumulated 132/4 in the allotted 20 overs, courtesy of an anchoring fourth-wicket partnership between Tazmin Brits and Sune Luus.

The touring side had a dismal start to their innings as they lost their skipper Laura Wolvaardt (11) in the third over with just 20 runs on the board.

South Africa were further reduced to 20/2 on the next delivery as Sadia Iqbal dismissed Anneke Bosch for a golden duck.

After the back-to-back blows, veteran all-rounder Marizanne Kapp joined Brits in the middle and looked to anchor the innings.

The duo put together a cautious 21-run partnership for the third wicket until Kapp fell victim to Nida Dar in the eighth over.

Kapp scored a run-a-ball 14 with the help of two boundaries.

Brits then finally received subtle support from the other end in the form of Sune Luus. The pair batted sensibly and stitched an anchoring 63-run partnership, which lasted in the 18th over with Luus’ dismissal.

Luus struck four boundaries on her way to a run-a-ball 24.

Tazmin Brits was then involved in a crucial partnership with Chloe Tryon, who played a handy cameo to bolster South Africa’s total. Tryon smashed Sadia Iqbal for two sixes in the final over and returned unbeaten with a seven-ball 15.

Brits, on the other hand, remained unbeaten with a gutsy half-century. She remained the top-scorer for South Africa with a 63-ball 56, which featured five fours.

Sadia Iqbal, despite being taken for plenty in the final over, was the star with the ball for Pakistan as she picked up three wickets while Nida Dar made one scalp.

HEAD TO HEAD

Pakistan and South Africa came face-to-face 21 times in Women’s T20Is with their first meeting dating back to 2010. The Proteas women boast a slender 11-10 lead over the Green Shirts.

Pakistan, however, have a perfect 3-0 record against the Proteas women at home.

Matches 21, South Africa 11, Pakistan 10

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