POTCHEFSTROOM: Captain Fatima Sana’s career-best 41-ball 90 went in vain as South Africa Women sealed a dramatic five-wicket victory on the final ball of the first Twenty20 International at the JB Marks Oval on Tuesday.

Batting at number eight with Pakistan in deep trouble, Fatima produced a breathtaking counter-attack, smashing nine fours and seven sixes to lift her side to a competitive 180-9 after they had slumped to 64-6 inside 10 overs.

After Pakistan opted to bat, early blows reduced them to 25-3 in 3.4 overs. The slide continued before Fatima joined forces with Umm-e-Hani (13) to add 74 runs for the seventh wicket. The partnership ended in the 17th over with the total at 138-7, but Fatima carried on the charge.

She brought up her maiden T20I half-century off just 27 balls — the second-fastest for Pakistan — and registered the second-highest individual score by a Pakistan batter in women’s T20Is after Muneeba Ali’s 102 against Ireland in 2023. From 103-6 at the end of the 15th over, Pakistan plundered 77 runs in the last five overs, 40 of which came across the 16th and 17th overs.

South Africa’s reply began briskly, with Tazmin Brits (16 off 14) and Sune Luus (32 off 20) powering them to 54-1 in the Powerplay. Skipper Laura Wolvaardt then anchored the chase with a fluent 38-ball 61, striking eight fours and a six.

At the halfway stage, the hosts required 79 off 60 balls. Nashra Sundhu dismissed Wolvaardt in the 15th over to revive Pakistan’s hopes, and Ayesha Zafar’s following over produced two wickets, including a run-out, to keep the contest alive.

The equation came down to 10 needed off the final over. Debutant Humna Bilal conceded six runs from the first three deliveries, leaving South Africa needing two from the last ball. Debutant Kayla Reyneke, who had earlier claimed 2-13 with the ball, finished unbeaten on 29 off 16 deliveries and struck a six off the final delivery to complete a thrilling win as South Africa reached 185-5.

Ayanda Hlubi was the pick of the bowlers for South Africa with 3-41, while Nonkululeko Mlaba took 2-40.

Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2026