A maiden career half-century by Marizanne Kapp in her new role up the order helped the Proteas Women edge out Pakistan by eight wickets with a ball to spare in the second T20 International at the City Oval in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday.
The all-rounder struck an unbeaten 56 off 51 balls with six fours to help the hosts chase down the 129-run victory target and level the five-match series at 1-1 ahead of match three at the same venue on Sunday.
There was equally good support for Kapp from Lizelle Lee, who hit a 52-ball 56 that included five fours and one six.
It was an excellent response from Hilton Moreeng’s charges after they were easily rolled over in the first game.
Fast bowler Kapp was at the heart of the action, also claiming one for 28 (1/28) in her four overs after the tourists won the toss and opted to bat first.
Javeria Rauf (16) and Umaima Sohail, (23) offered them a steady start, before Sune Luus (2/29) landed a double blow to leave them on 61/3 in the 12th over.
The ever-reliant captain, Bismah Maroof, then once again produced the goods for her side as she struck 63 not out off 47 balls (9 fours) to propel her side to a competitive 128/5.
Apart from Kapp and Luus with the ball, Tumi Sekhukhune (1/12) and Shabnim Ismail (0/17) were extremely tidy in the seven overs shared between them.
The South Africans lost Tazmin Brits for 17 in the fifth over of the chase, but then came a wonderful 96-run second-wicket partnership between Kapp and Lee, who completed her eighth T20 international 50.
The third match of the series takes place at the Pietermaritzburg Oval on Sunday.
Photo: Gallo Images
