Rescued from 50/8, took 3 wickets but captain Fatima Sana left dejected as Pakistan lose to South Africa

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana’s all-round show wasn’t enough to help her side registered their first win of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. In the Group A clash at Edgbaston, Birmingham, on June 17, Fatima rescued Pakistan from a batting collapse. From 50/8, her unbeaten 55 helped Pakistan post a respectable 126/9. Then, she took three wickets as well but South Africa got over the line with two wickets in hand and 19 balls to spare.

Pakistan batters rush to dugout

Fatima had won the toss and opted to bat first. Muneeba Ali was dismissed lbw first ball by Marizanne Kapp. The experienced South Africa pacer followed it up with the wicket of Gull Feroza in the same over. Ayesha Zafar failed to make an impact as she became Marizanne's third victim with the new ball. Ayabonga Khaka joined the party with Natalia Pervaiz's wicket. To make matters worse, Rameen Shamim got run out in the sixth over as Pakistan lost half the side for 29. The collapse continued as Iram Javed got run out as well. Aliya Riaz reached double figures and then lost her wicket to experienced pacer Shabnim Ismail. The run outs continued as Nashra Sandhu departed for a two-ball duck in the 11th over.

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Fatima-Tuba’s record-breaking partnership

From 50/8, Fatima and Tuba Hassan tried to rebuild the innings. In the final over, Fatima hit a couple of sixes before Tuba became fourth Pakistan batter to get run out. She scored 23 runs from 27 balls in the 71-run partnership for the ninth wicket. It is the highest ninth-wicket partnership in T20 World Cup history. Fatima finished the innings with a boundary, taking Pakistan's score to 126/9. She remained unbeaten for 55 off 38 deliveries.

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Annerie scores fifty

With ball in hand, Fatima struck in her first over by getting the wicket of Sune Luus. Annerie Dercksen used the powerplay overs. She hit Rameen for three fours and a six in the 21-run fifth over. Then, Tuba got into the action, getting skipper Laura Wolvaardt out in the seventh over. The opener scored just eight runs from 12 balls. In the 10th over, Anneri reached her half-century from 32 balls. In the same over, Nashra got Marizanne stumped. Annerie couldn't finish the run chase and got bowled by Tuba. She scored 52 runs from 35 balls.

South Africa almost choke in run chase

Fatima made her first mistake in the 12th over, dropping Nadine de Klerk's catch. Sadia Iqbal struck as well, getting Chloe Tryon out. In her next over, she dismissed Kayla Reyneke as well. Fatima gave South Africa a scare with a double-wicket over. She knocked over Sinalo Jafta and got Nadine's wicket as well. Nadine scored 37 runs from 28 balls. But, scores were already level by then. She bowled a wide against Ayabonga as South Africa managed to get a two-run win after a big loss against Australia.

Pakistan vs Bangladesh next

Pakistan will now face Bangladesh in their must-win game on June 20 in Southampton. Bangladesh have one win from two games. On June 17, Bangladesh faced a nine-wicket defeat against Australia as they set a non-threatening target of 78.