South Africa secured a narrow 10-run victory against Pakistan in the first match of their three-game T20I series, with a standout debut performance from 18-year-old Seshnie Naidu. Playing her first match in Multan, Naidu took a brilliant catch at short fine leg and claimed a wicket with her second ball, helping her team to a hard-fought win.
This historic match was the first-ever T20I, men’s or women’s, held at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Although South Africa couldn’t reach the "10 to 15 more runs" over 150 that captain Laura Wolvaardt had aimed for, they posted a competitive 132 for 4. With Pakistan struggling at 47 for 5 at one point, it seemed South Africa’s total would be enough. However, Aliya Riaz and newly-appointed captain Fatima Sana put up a valiant fight, combining for an unbroken 75-run stand-off 45 balls for the sixth wicket. Their efforts forced South Africa to battle till the end to defend their score, with the game becoming much closer than they might have expected. Wolvaardt acknowledged that fielding needed improvement, particularly after three dropped catches nearly cost them the match.
Wolvaardt herself was responsible for the first dropped catch in the fifth over when Pakistan were at 14 for 2. Nida Dar skied a shot to mid-off, but Wolvaardt couldn’t hold on. Later, Chloe Tryon missed a catch off Sana when she was on 10, and Sune Luus dropped another opportunity when Sana was at 22. Fortunately, these mistakes didn’t prevent South Africa from clinching the win, though it made the contest more competitive than they might have preferred.
Key contributions from South Africa’s experienced players helped them through. Tazmin Brits recorded her third half-century in four innings, scoring 56* and steadying the team after a shaky start at 20 for 2. Luus added 27 runs off 27 balls, marking her first score over 20 this year, and Tryon contributed a quickfire 15 not out from 7 balls. A crucial 63-run partnership between Brits and Luus anchored the innings.
Pakistan’s bowlers made an early impact, with Sadia Iqbal dismissing both Laura Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch in consecutive deliveries. However, Pakistan’s heavy reliance on spin, bowling 16 overs of it, may have backfired, as they included only one seamer, Fatima Sana, while benching Diana Baig on a track expected to assist the turn.
Despite restricting South Africa to 132 for 4, Pakistan’s lack of variety in attack was highlighted when South Africa bowled. Senior seamers Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka completed their full quota of overs, supported by five other bowlers. Kapp opened with a maiden and struck with her second ball, removing Gull Feroza. Khaka also applied pressure, conceding just one run in her first over, before Kapp bowled Sidra Amin to leave Pakistan at 6 for 2.
Muneeba Ali briefly relieved the pressure with a boundary but soon fell to a stunning piece of fielding by Naidu. Attempting to flick Sekhukhune fine, Muneeba watched as Naidu dived to make an incredible catch, securing the ball even as she hit the ground. Naidu’s confidence carried into her bowling, where she dismissed Sadaf Shamas with her second delivery, reducing Pakistan to 21 for 4.
Although South Africa seemed to relax after these breakthroughs, allowing Pakistan to gather runs more freely, Aliya Riaz and Fatima Sana’s late hitting came too late. Both batters struck five boundaries each, with Aliya smashing Pakistan’s only six, but their efforts couldn’t bring them across the finish line, as South Africa held on for a narrow victory.