LAHORE: Iram Javed’s half-century helped Pakistan women beat South Africa by four wickets in their third T20 International in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday. The win helped the visitors secure a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

Nida Dar and Aliya Riaz also made useful contributions to steer Pakistan to the 139-run target withy two balls to spare.

Iram smashed six fours and six during her knock of 55 off 45 balls while Nida scored 32 off 28 balls. The duo added 77 runs for the fourth wicket after Pakistan had lost three wickets within as many overs.

After Nida departed, Iram found another useful partner in Aliya, who struck four fours and a six in a 24-ball 30 as the two batters put on 54 runs for the fifth wicket.

With seven runs required in the final over, Iram fell on the first delivery but Sana Mir scored the remaining six runs on the third and fourth deliveries to seal the match.

Earlier, South Africa women, batting first, reached 138 for four in 20 overs – thanks to an 80-run second wicket partnership between Tazmin Brits and Nadine de Klerk.

The fourth match of the series will be played on May 22 in Benoni.

Summarised scores:

PAKISTAN: 139-6 in 19.4 overs (Imran Javed 55, Nida Dar 32, Aliya Riaz 30; Moseline Daniels 3-13); SOUTH AFRICA: 138-3 in 20 overs (Tazmin Brits 70 not out, Nadine de Klerk 36).

Published in Dawn, May 20th, 2019