The Proteas women sunk to a seven-wicket defeat at the hands of Pakistan in Wednesday’s opening T20I at the LC de Villiers Oval in Pretoria.
Chloe Tryon struck 43 from 21 deliveries, which featured three fours and a six in the hosts’ final total of 119 for seven. Her contribution proved particularly key after Lizelle Lee and Tazmin Brits fell for ducks at the top of the order.
Tryon enjoyed support from Mignon du Preez and Shabnim Ismail, who gathered 23 and 20 not out respectively, but ultimately a 120-run target was comfortably surpassed by the tourists.
Nidar Dar, who earlier dismissed Marizanne Kapp and Tryon, completed a solid all-round performance with 53 from 37. Captain Bismah Maroof welcomed the same score, but was unbeaten – and faced 11 deliveries more.
The result was disappointing for a team serviced by ‘the best bowling attack in the world’, according to captain Sune Luus earlier this week.
South Africa and Pakistan will meet for four more T20Is in Pietermaritzburg and Benoni.
They drew an ODI series this month after the decider was tied. Masabata Klaas claimed a hat-trick in the second ODI at Senwes Park in Benoni. Klaas’ hat-trick marked the 10th in women’s ODI cricket – and the second by a South African. Dane van Niekerk achieved the feat against the West Indies at Warner Park in Basseterre, St Kitts, six years ago.
Photo: Gallo Images
