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Fatima Sana stars as Pakistan sign off with consolation win

Cricbuzz Staff 
an-all-round-performance-from-fatima-sana-helped-pakistan-end-the-t20i-series-with-a-consolation-win
An all-round performance from Fatima Sana helped Pakistan end the T20I series with a consolation win ©Getty

Fatima Sana capped off a strong all-round game with both bat and ball as Pakistan Women ended the series on a high, sealing a 53-run win over South Africa Women in the third T20I in Kimberley. Despite the defeat, the hosts clinched the three-match series 2-1.

Pakistan recovered from an early wobble to post 144 for 7 after opting to bat. Both openers - Muneeba Ali and Gull Feroza - fell cheaply inside the first two overs, leaving the visitors under pressure at 10 for 2. Ayesha Zafar (19) and Sidra Amin (26) steadied things with a measured stand that took Pakistan to 46 for 2 at the end of the PowerPlay, before South Africa struck back through Nonkululeko Mlaba and a run-out.

At 61 for 4 and then 73 for 5, Pakistan were still searching for momentum. That came through a decisive sixth-wicket stand between Sana and Aliya Riaz. The pair added 70 off 45 balls, with Sana shifting gears late in the innings. Her unbeaten 47 off 30 balls, featuring four fours and two sixes, ensured Pakistan finished with a competitive total despite four run-outs across the innings.

South Africa's chase never gained rhythm. Sana struck in the first over to remove Tazmin Brits and later dismissed captain Laura Wolvaardt, while Sadia Iqbal ran through the middle order with figures of 3 for 18. The hosts stumbled to 36 for 4 inside the PowerPlay, losing Lara Goodall and Dane van Niekerk in quick succession.

A brief recovery came through all-rounders Nadine de Klerk (27) and Annerie Dercksen (30), whose 50-run partnership kept the equation alive. But Dercksen's run-out at 85 for 5 triggered another collapse, one that saw South Africa lose their last five wickets for just seven runs, as they were bundled out for 91 in 16.5 overs - with Marizanne Kapp retiring ill without facing a delivery.

Brief scores: Pakistan 144/7 in 20 overs (Fatima Sana 47*, Sidra Amin 26, Aliya Riaz 26; Nonkululeko Mlaba 1-22) beat South Africa 91 in 16.5 overs (Annerie Dercksen 30, Nadine de Klerk 27; Sadia Iqbal 3-18, Fatima Sana 2-12) by 53 runs.

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