Cricket
Proteas take unassailable 2-0 lead against Pakistan─── MORGAN PIEK 07:21 Sat, 14 Feb 2026
The Proteas Women claim the T20 International Series against Pakistan by winning the second rain-reduced match played at Willowmoore Park in Benoni my six wickets on Friday night.
The victory handed South Africa an unassailable 2-0 series lead with one match still to play. After a near two-hour delay due to heavy rain, the match was reduced to 14 overs a side.
South Africa won the toss and opted to bowl – a decision that paid immediate dividends. Batting first, Pakistan scored 100/9 in their allotted 20 overs with Aliya Riaz top-scoring with 20, while Ayesha Zafar scored 13.
Ayabonga Khaka. Photo: CSA
The new-ball pairing of Marizanne Kapp with 1/25 and Masabata Klaas with 2/14 ripped through Pakistan’s top order, removing three of the top four inside the revised powerplay.
Klaas struck twice in quick succession after Kapp had bowled Muneeba Ali, leaving the visitors reeling at 28/3. A sharp piece of work behind the stumps from Sinalo Jafta then saw Zafar run out, reducing Pakistan to 61/5 midway through their innings. South Africa’s bowlers kept things tight, with youngster Kayla Reyneke picking up her third international wicket and Nonkululeko Mlaba adding to the pressure with another breakthrough.
With Pakistan limping on 78/7 heading into the final three overs, Khaka delivered the killer blow. The experienced seamer returned outstanding figures of 3/10 in just two overs, including a double strike in the penultimate over, as the tourists were restricted to 100/9.
Laura Wolvaardt. Photo: CSA
Chasing a modest 101, the Proteas Women came out with intent. Tazmin Brits scored 29, and Suné Luus with 13, got the innings off to a brisk start, racing to 30 without loss inside four overs before the latter was trapped LBW by Sadia Iqbal.
Brits then combined beautifully with Wolvaardt in a composed 36-run stand that effectively took the game away from Pakistan. Even when Brits was caught in the deep, and Dané van Niekerk departed shortly after, there was no sense of panic in the South African camp. With 30 needed off the final four overs, Wolvaardt took control. Calm, assured, and clinical, she struck an unbeaten 40 off 29 balls, sharing a crucial partnership with Kapp before finishing the job alongside Nadine de Klerk.
The Proteas sealed the win with four balls to spare, underlining their dominance in the series. The third and final T20 International takes place on Monday, and will also be played at Willowmoore Park after being moved from Kimberley.
