Annerie Dercksen’s half-century and Nadine de Klerk’s composed finish helped South Africa secure a nervy two-wicket victory over Pakistan at Edgbaston, opening their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a win.
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana produced a superb all-round display, first rescuing her side with the bat before claiming three wickets in South Africa’s chase. However, her efforts were ultimately eclipsed as South Africa reached their target with 19 balls to spare.
After being sent in to bat, Pakistan found themselves in deep trouble at 45 for seven following a devastating opening spell from Marizanne Kapp. The South African seamer struck with the first ball of the match, dismissing Muneeba Ali on review, before removing Gull Feroza and Ayesha Zafar to leave Pakistan reeling.
Further wickets continued to tumble as Pakistan slipped to 55 for eight, with three batters run out amid sharp South African fielding.
Fatima and Tuba Hassan then staged a remarkable recovery. The pair added 71 for the ninth wicket — the highest ninth-wicket partnership in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup history — to lift Pakistan to a competitive 126 for nine.
Fatima led the counterattack with an unbeaten 55 from 38 balls, including two sixes in the final over to bring up her half-century, while Tuba contributed 23 before falling run out in the closing stages.
South Africa’s reply began steadily despite the early loss of Sune Luus, dismissed by Fatima in the second over. Dercksen quickly seized control, striking boundaries freely as the Proteas raced to 48 for one in the powerplay.
The right-hander reached a 32-ball fifty and kept South Africa ahead of the required rate throughout the chase. However, Pakistan fought back through Tuba Hassan and Sadia Iqbal, removing key batters including Dercksen for 52 and reducing South Africa to 76 for four.
With momentum shifting, De Klerk anchored the chase with a calm and valuable 37. Despite surviving two dropped chances, she guided South Africa to the brink of victory as wickets continued to fall around her.
There was late drama when Fatima dismissed both Sinalo Jafta and De Klerk with the scores level. But Pakistan’s hopes were ended by a wide from the captain, handing South Africa a hard-fought two-wicket win.
Scores in brief
Pakistan 126/9 (20 overs)
Fatima Sana 55* (38), Tuba Hassan 23; Marizanne Kapp 3/23, Shabnim Ismail 1/15
South Africa 127/8 (16.5 overs)
Annerie Dercksen 52, Nadine de Klerk 37; Fatima Sana 3/16, Sadia Iqbal 2/26
Result: South Africa won by two wickets.
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