LAHORE: Captain Fatima Sana produced an all-round performance as Pakistan Women defeated South Africa Women by 53 runs in the third and final T20I in Benoni on Monday.

Fatima, who scored a 41-ball 90 in the opening match, scored 47 not out off 30 balls with four fours and two sixes to lift her side to 144 for seven. She then picked up two wickets for 12 runs as the home side was dismissed for 91 in 16.5 overs. She was later adjudged player of the match and player of the series.

South Africa took the series 2-1 following their five and six-wicket victories, respectively, in the opening two matches.

Electing to bat first, Pakistan openers Muneeba Ali and Gull Feroza departed without scoring before Sidra Amin (26) and Ayesha Zafar (19) added 38 runs for the third wicket off 31 balls. The real impetus to the innings came when Fatima Sana joined Aliya Riaz as the two shared a 70-run sixth-wicket partnership off 45 balls.

Aliya struck three fours in a 25-ball 26.

In turn, South Africa slipped to 30 for four before Annerie Dercksen (30) and Nadine de Klerk (27) put on 55 runs for the fifth wicket. However, when Dercksen departed with the score at 85 for five in 15 overs, the remaining four wickets fell for six runs in 11 balls as South Africa were bowled out for 91 in 16.5 overs. Marizanne Kapp did not bat and was classified as absent hurt.

While Fatima took two for 12, it was Sadia Iqbal who caused the most damage, claiming three wickets for 18 runs. Ayesha Zafar took one wicket for 10 runs.

The two sides will now play three ICC Women’s Championship fixtures on 22, 25 February, and 1 March.

Scores in brief

3rd T20I – Pakistan Women beat South Africa Women by 53 runs, Benoni

Pakistan Women 144-7, 20 overs (Fatima Sana 47 not out, Aliya Riaz 26, Sidra Amin 26, Ayesha Zafar 19)

South Africa Women 99 all-out, 16.5 overs (Annerie Dercksen 30, Nadine de Klerk 27; Sadia Iqbal 3-18, Fatima Sana 2-12)

Player of the match – Fatima Sana

Player of the series – Fatima Sana

Previous matches:

1st T20I – South Africa Women beat Pakistan Women by five wickets, Potchefstroom

2nd T20I – South Africa Women beat Pakistan Women by six wickets, Benoni

Upcoming matches:

22 February – 1st ODI, Bloemfontein

25 February – 2nd ODI, Centurion (d/n)

1 March – 3rd ODI, Durban