MACHESTER: South Africa sealed a last-over win to hand India their first defeat in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Old Trafford Stadium on Sunday.
The Proteas chased down a 159-run target in 19.1 overs, losing four wickets in the process. Marizanne Kapp starred with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 81 off 45 balls, striking four sixes and seven boundaries.
India rocked South Africa early in the chase, removing both Laura Wolvaardt and Annerie Dercksen in the span of two balls in the penultimate over of the powerplay.
As a result, they were reduced to 25-2. Skipper Wolvaardt scored 20, whereas Dercksen could not open her account. Shree Charani accounted for both dismissals.
After the double blow, Marizanne Kapp and Tazmin Brits shared a 97-run stand for the third wicket that proved to be a match-winning one.
Shafali Verma provided India the much-needed breakthrough in the form of Brits’ wicket, who scored 40 off 36, including two fours and a six. At this stage, South Africa were 122-3 in 16.1 overs.
Soon after, Charani cleaned up Nadine de Klerk for five to put chase on a knife-edge. With 18 required of 12 balls, Kapp hit two sixes off Deepti Sharma’s over to make it a one-sided affair.
Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel
For India, Shree Charani picked up three wickets.
Earlier, India decided to bat first and posted 158-7 in 20 overs.
Shafali Verma provided India a rapid start, adding 30 in the first three overs before South Africa removed Smriti Mandhana to halt proceedings. She made 17 off 12 with the aid of three boundaries.
Yastika Bhatia and Shafali Verma stitched a 24-run partnership for the second wicket, bringing the score over the 50-run mark.
The scorecard read 54 when Verma was caught after contributing 31 off 15, laced with four boundaries and a six.
After Verma’s wicket, South Africa continued to chip away with regular wickets and never allowed the opposition to lay a solid partnership.
Deepti Sharma made a useful contribution, scoring 29 from 21 balls with the help of three fours.
Shabnim Ismail and Marizanne Kapp accounted for two wickets each, with the rest of the four bowlers scalping one apiece.
In the 17th match, West Indies outplayed Sri Lanka by five wickets after a clinical bowling performance.
West Indies chased down a partly 99-run target in 16.1 overs. Hayley Matthews delivered an all-round performance. She first took a three-wicket haul and also made 17 with the bat while opening the batting.
For Sri Lanka, Kavisha Dilhari nearly turned the game on its head with a double-wicket 11th over. However, Jannillea Glasgow (10*) and Stafanie Taylor (27*) helped their team cross the finishing line.
West Indies bowled out Sri Lanka for 98 in 19.4 overs after opting to field first. Nilakshika Silva top-scored with 30 for the Islander in an otherwise shambolic batting display.
Besides Hayley Matthews, Karishma Ramharack also chipped in with the ball, accounting for two wickets.
READ: Ben Stokes, Gus Atkinson included in squad after ECB warning
