DURBAN: Backed by some fine bowling and impressive batting, South African women’s team comfortably defeated Pakistan by eight wickets in the first Twenty20 International here at Kingsmead on Friday.

The hosts chased down a modest 125 for the loss of two wickets in 19 overs. Opening batter Tazmin Brits top scored with an unbeaten 52 off 54 balls, which included three boundaries.For Pakistan, Aimen Anwar took two wickets for 29 runs in four overs while the rest of her bowling colleagues remained wicketless.

Earlier, Ayesha Naseem top scored for Pakistan with 31 off 25 as the tourists managed a small 124 for eight off the stipulated 20 overs after captain Aliya Riaz, who took over the responsibilities due to a right hand index finger injury to Javeria Khan, elected to bat.

The 16-year-old Ayesha hit two fours and formed a crucial 43-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Nida Dar, who returned unbeaten on 15-ball 22 that included two fours after the tourists were reduced to 75-5 in the 15th over.

Kainat Imtiaz, who last featured in a T20 International in October 2019 in Lahore against Bangladesh, posted the second best score of the innings with a 23-ball 24 (two fours), while wicket-keeper Muneeba Ali, batting at three, made a 26-ball 21.

All-rounder Marizanne Kapp was the pick of the South African bowlers with three for 24 in four overs. The 31-year-old right-arm pacer provided an early breakthrough to the hosts as she bowled Omaima Sohail (10 off 11) on her first ball, which was the first ball of the third over, and later sent back Nahida Khan (1) and Ayesha Naseem.

South Africa pacer Shabnim Ismail (2-20 off four overs) accounted for Ayesha Zafar (8) and Aliya (1).

Both teams play the second T20 of the three-match series at the same venue on Sunday.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2021