Sports Bulletin Report
MULTAN: South Africa beat Pakistan by 10 runs in the first T20I to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series here at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan on Monday evening.
Chasing 133 to win, Pakistan struggled from the outset, losing half of their side in the 13th over with 47 runs on the board. At that time, captain Fatima Sana joined Aliya Riaz and the pair knitted an unbroken 75-run partnership for the sixth wicket, but fell 10 runs short of the target.
Right-handed batter Fatima, scored an unbeaten 37 off 24 balls, which included five fours. Aliya, brought up her second T20I half-century and returned undefeated on 52 off 39 balls, smashing five fours and a six.
For South Africa, Marizanne Kapp and Tumi Sekhukhune took two wickets each.Earlier, after being put into bat, South Africa managed to score 132 for four in their allotted 20 overs. Left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts, bagging three wickets for 34 in four overs. Sadia’s third scalp in the 18th over of the innings marked her 50th T20I wicket in 41 matches.
Former captain Nida Dar, playing her 154th T20I, bowled economically and gave away only 11 runs in her four overs and took the prized scalp of Kapp.
For South Africa, opening batter Tazmin Brits returned undefeated on 56 off 63, hitting five fours. She knitted a 63-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Sune Luus (27, 27b, 4x4s) and an unbroken 28-run partnership with Chloe Tryon (15 not out, seven balls, 2x6s).
Both sides will now feature in the second T20I at the same venue on Wednesday evening. The first ball of the match will be bowled at 1900 PST.
Scores in brief
South Africa beat Pakistan by 10 runs
South Africa 132-4, 20 overs (Tazmin Brits 56 not out, Sune Luus 27; Sadia Iqbal 3-34)
Pakistan 122-5, 20 overs (Aliya Riaz 52 not out, Fatima Sana 37 not out; Tumi Sekhukhune 2-15,
Marizanne Kapp 2-22)
Player of the match – Tazmin Brits (South Africa).
