South Africa prevail in thriller despite Fatima Sana's best efforts

Fatima Sana battled hard with a 38-ball 55* and 3-16, but her teammates couldn't complement her efforts as Pakistan fell to a two-wicket defeat against South Africa in Birmingham. Annerie Dercksen scored a half-century to put South Africa on course, but the win came only after a stutter that saw the chasing side lose eight wickets.

Pakistan were pushed to the hilt early as Marizanne Kapp (3-23) ripped through the top order, leaving them 29/5 inside the Powerplay and 50/8 in the 11th over. Sana watched helplessly until Tuba Hassan arrived at No.10 to put together a 71-run stand off 54 deliveries. Sana reached her half-century but Pakistan managed just 126/9, with four batters run out.

Sana struck early to remove Sune Luus as South Africa made a nervy start, reaching 20/1 in four overs. Dercksen then used Rameen Shamim's over as a launch pad, tonking three fours and a six in a 21-run over. South Africa got through the Powerplay with 48/1.

Hassan sent Laura Wolvaardt packing with her leg-break, while Nashra Sidhu had Kapp out stumped and Hassan cleaned up Dercksen shortly after her 32-ball fifty. From 76/4, Nadine de Klerk (37) anchored the chase with short partnerships – first with Chloe Tryon, then Kayla Reyneke and Sinalo Jafta. Sana returned to remove Jafta and de Klerk, but by then the scores were level. South Africa's win came via a wide from Sana to Ayabonga Khaka.

Brief Scores: Pakistan Women 126/9 in 20 overs (Fatima Sana 55; Marizanne Kapp 3-23) lost to South Africa Women 127/8 in 16.5 overs (Annerie Dercksen 52, Nadine de Klerk 37; Fatima Sana 3-16, Tuba Hassan 2-28) by 2 wickets