South Africa survived a scare against Pakistan to register their first win of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. Chasing a modest target of 127, the 2024 finalists were tested by a spirited Pakistan side before they edged to a two-wicket win. A fighting half-century by Annerie Dercksen guided them to 127/8 in 16.5 overs.
Fatima Sana’s brilliant all-round performance was in vain as Pakistan slipped to their second straight defeat in the tournament. The skipper led an incredible recovery effort with the bat with an unbeaten 55, claimed three wickets and contributed a catch.
Having lost their first two matches, Pakistan are fifth in Group A, while South Africa have recovered to third place. After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Pakistan endured a nightmarish start.
A fiery opening spell from Marizanne Kapp scorched the Pakistan top order. She trapped left-hander Muneeba Ali leg before wicket on the very first ball of the innings, and sent her partner Gull Feroza back five balls later.
Kapp’s first over was like a rallying cry for her team that had endured a heavy defeat at the hands of Australia in their opening game. Inspired bowling by South Africa and some woeful cricket by Pakistan saw the Asian side slip to 50/8.
But captain Sana would not let her team crumble without a fight. Fearless in the face of adversity, she did not hold back against a South Africa side brimming with confidence.
Sana found a gritty partner in Tuba Hassan and the two of them set about rebuilding the innings. They countered with a 71-run partnership, the highest ninth-wicket stand in Women’s T20 World Cups. Against all odds, Pakistan not only batted out their quota of overs but put up a fighting total. Sana struck back-to-back sixes off Nadine De Klerk in the final over to bring up her fifty and closed the innings by stepping out against the pacer and slashing it behind point for a four, mustering 19 runs off the last over.
Having led the miraculous turnaround, the 24-year-old carried the momentum into the South African innings. She dealt them the first blow, as Sune Luus chopped the ball onto the stumps.
Dercksen tilted the match in the Proteas’ favour with a brisk 55 – her first fifty in T20 World Cups. She helped calm her team’s early nerves with fluent stroke play, finishing with seven fours and two sixes. Lower down the order, De Klerk kept the South African challenge intact with a vital 37 off 28. However, playing with four spinners, Pakistan kept coming back at South Africa. They sent back Marizanne Kapp and Dercksen in quick succession to put the pressure back on South Africa.
Sana finished with 3/16 in 2.5 overs, while Sadia Iqbal and Hassan chipped in with two wickets each as Pakistan battled on right to the end. South Africa finally stumbled over the finish line as Sana conceded a wide. While Pakistan may take heart from the fight they put up, the 2024 finalists still have a long way to go if they are to mount a serious title challenge in this edition.