KARACHI: Pakistan's women's team lost to South Africa by five wickets in their play-off match on Wednesday in Colombo.

Pakistan captain Sana Mir won the toss and elected to bat first. Pakistan scored 87 runs in 20 overs for the loss of eight wickets. The innings saw three run outs and Bismah Maroof was the only one who made a significant contribution with the bat, scoring 32 runs off 40 balls.

In reply, South Africa's Trisha Chetty and Alison Hodgkinson scored 22 and 25 respectively as Pakistan's Shabnim Ismail took three wickets for 19.

South Africa completed the chase successfully in 19.5 overs, losing five wickets.

The loss means that Pakistan will have to play in the qualifiers for the 2014 World Twenty20 next year while South Africa have automatically qualified.

Pakistan were knocked out of this year's World T20 after losing to England and Australia. However, they beat India in a nail-biting finish by one run.