
Kimberley, South Africa, 17 February (H.S.): Pakistan Women salvaged pride in the third T20I on Monday night, February 16, 2026, at Diamond Oval, demolishing South Africa by 53 runs through Fatima Sana's virtuoso all-round display, though hosts claimed the three-match series 2-1.
Electing to bat, Pakistan endured catastrophic inception—Muneeba Ali and Gull Feroza dismissed for 10 in two overs—yet Ayesha Zafar (19) and Sidra Ameen (26) steadied to 46/2 at powerplay's denouement.Mid-innings implosion (61/4, 73/5) yielded to Sana and Aliya Riaz's redemptive 69-run stand off 45 balls for the sixth wicket; Sana's unbeaten 47 off 30 (4x4, 2x6) propelled Pakistan to 144/7 despite three run-outs, surmounting Nonkululeko Mlaba's lone incursion (1/22).
Chasing, South Africa faltered: Sana snared Tazmin Brits first ball and skipper Laura Wolvaardt, whilst Sadia Iqbal's parsimonious 3/18 dismantled the middle order, precipitating 36/4 by mandatory powerplay's terminus.Nadine de Klerk (27) and Annerie Dercksen (30) mustered fleeting optimism via a 50-run fifth-wicket alliance, but Dercksen's run-out at 85/5 catalyzed collapse; the innings imploded, final five wickets tumbling for seven runs as South Africa capitulated at 91 all out in 16.5 overs—Marizanne Kapp withdrawing ill sans facing.
Scorecard: Pakistan 144/7 (20 overs; Fatima Sana 47*); South Africa 91 (16.5 overs). Pakistan won by 53 runs; series: South Africa 2-1.
---------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar