Wolvaardt, Khaka chaperone South Africa to series win

Ayabonga Khaka’s potent spell and an unbeaten 40 off 29 from captain Laura Wolvaardt ushered South Africa to a six-wicket win over Pakistan in the rain-affected second T20I in Benoni. The hosts restricted Pakistan to 100/9 in a 14-over contest before gunning down the target with four balls to spare, taking an insurmountable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Both teams meet again in the last match at the same venue on Monday, February 16.

Chasing 101, South Africa rode on Tazmin Brits and Sune Luus as they added 30 in quick time before Sadia Iqbal trapped Luus LBW. Brits continued to find boundaries while Wolvaardt settled in, the pair adding 36 for the second wicket to keep the asking rate in control. Pakistan retaliated with a couple of wickets in the middle overs, including Brits and Dane van Niekerk, leaving South Africa needing 30 off the last four overs. Wolvaardt, however, anchored the chase with smart placement and running. Earlier, after a long rain delay reduced the game, South Africa’s new-ball bowlers struck early after opting to field. A run-out soon after deepened the trouble, leaving the visitors struggling to build momentum. South Africa’s disciplined extended to the middle overs, with Kayla Reyneke and Nonkululeko Mlaba chipping in before Khaka delivered the decisive blows at the death.

Brief Scores: Pakistan 100/9 in 14 overs (Aliya Riaz 20, Ayabonga Khaka 3-10, Masabata Klaas 2-14) lost to South Africa 104/4 in 13.2 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 40*, Tazmin Brits 29; Sadia Iqbal 2-15) by 6 wickets.