Laura Wolvaardt takes the trophy to her teammates, and they all stand behind the winner's board. They are delighted and it can be seen in their eyes. Yes, they had an off day today. However, all in all they were the better team in the series and deserved the victory at 2-1!
For Pakistan, it is all about Fatima Sana and the spinners. Yes, this combination bailed them out today and they notched up a big win. However, they would want more match winners to emerge going forward. They will love to carry this momentum into the WODIs and notch up a few wins in that series as well.
The two teams will now travel to Bloemfontein for the first WODI that will take place in 6 days' time on the 22nd of February!
On this note, I, Manan Mehta would like to take your leave on behalf of our score Zeeshan Naiyer. It was a pleasure bringing this match to you. B-byeee!!!
Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa Women Captain): "(Thoughts on the loss) Yeah a bit disappointing to end the series like this. We have played really good cricket but not good enough today. Bowling was good but our fielding let us down big time. The batting needed more partnerships. A lot of runs outs today.
(Thoughts on the number of run outs) We had 4-5 and they had a couple. Strange day. Regardless of that we needed to pouch the catches.
(Plans against spin) On a slower surface we need to be craftier. We need to bat smarter as we move forward. We do not know what we'll get in the ODI series but need to adapt well.
(Her role at number 3) Yeah, the challenge is that you really don't know what you are going to get at number 3. The situation can vary. As an opener you always know when you are going to bat. However, it is a challenge I would like to embrace and work forward.
(Team's progression) I think we are progressing in the right direction and just need to tighten a few screws. The group is really doing well together."
Laura Wolvaardt collects the Series Winners Trophy!
Fatima Sana (POTM, POTS and Pakistan Women Captain): "(Thoughts on the win) It was an awesome end for the series. Credit goes to the girls. They put up a great effort today.
(Thoughts with the ball) When I was starting my bowling, we knew that conditions were good for pacers. We got early wickets and got the rewards.
(What got Pakistan to bounce back?) All the hard work in the last month has paid off. Credit goes to the almighty. I want to congratulate and credit the team and the management. They have helped us bounce back.
(Momentum going into the WODIs) Yes, it is great to end the T20s with a win. Gives us good momentum as we go into the ODIs. We should be able to do well there."
Player of the Series: Fatima Sana
Player of the Match: Fatima Sana
Super Six of the Match: Fatima Sana (81 M six!)
Time for the post-match presentations...
12:28 AM IST and 8:58 PM Local Time: Pakistan Women win by 53 runs! South Africa Women win the series 2-1! That was a stunning performance from Fatima Sana and her girls! They were nowhere in the picture at 68/5 in the first innings. From then on, they just turned it around and bounced back in fine fashion. Never lost control or momentum.
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first. They were behind the eight ball after losing two early wickets. They had a small partnership in the middle but a plethora of silly run outs and soft dismissals brought them to 68/5 in 11 overs.
Captain Fatima Sana came up with the rescue act again. She and Aliya Riaz stitched a brilliant 71 runs stand for the 6th wicket and made sure they pushed their side past 140. Sana was the best batter with 47* to her name. They ended with 144/7.
The pick of the bowlers for South Africa were Nonkululeko Mlaba (1-22) and Ayabonga Khaka (1-26). The total looked well below par at the halfway stage and Pakistan knew they needed early wickets.
It was captain Sana again. This time with the ball who provided the early breakthrough as she dismissed Tazmin Brits for a duck. South Africa bounced back in the second over taking down young Tasmia Rubab for 15.
However, the introduction of Sadia Iqbal in the 4th over dented the chase. She took out Lara Goodall and Dane van Niekerk in a span of 3 balls. Fatima Sana came back roaring to take out the big wicket of Laura Wolvaardt in the very next over. South Africa were struggling at 30-4. They were in all sorts, and the spinners began to add further pressure in the middle overs.
Annerie Dercksen and Nadine de Klerk stitched a 55-run stand there but it came at a very sluggish rate as they took 65 balls for that. Pakistani spinners in the form of Iqbal, Nashra Sandhu and Tuba Hassan tied the pair up. An unfortunate run out brought about the end of Dercksen and Nadine de Klerk succumbed to the pressure and fell in the very next over.
That is when a dramatic collapse took place. Mishits and run outs were the order of the day as from 85-3, South Africa slipped to 91-9. That was 91 All Out effectively as Marizanne Kapp refused to bat with a niggle.
There were a total of 7 run outs in the game. 4 in the Pakistan innings and 3 in the South African innings. Pakistan carved out a big 53 runs win. The pick of the bowlers for them were Sadia Iqbal (3-18) and Fatima Sana (2-12).