Pakistani Women Cricket team faces the worst setback in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup
Shares
*SYDNEY – Pakistani team out of ICC women’s T20 World after defeat form South Africa on Sunday.*
Laura Wolvaardt smacked a crucial 53 as South Africa whipped Pakistan to keep their unbeaten streak intact and join India in the women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals.
Proteas captain Dane van Niekerk won the toss and opted to bat on a slow track at Sydney Showgrounds, with her team making a competitive 136 for six, boosted by Wolvaardt’s late fireworks.
In reply Pakistan, missing captain Bismah Maroof who was ruled out of the tournament on Saturday with a broken thumb, could only manage 119 for five.
South Africa have now won three from three in Group B — including a six-wicket humbling of England and a 113-run thumping of Thailand — to make only their second T20 semi-final following their efforts in 2014.
If England beat the West Indies later Sunday, they will join them in the last four. “I’m really happy, but have to give credit to Pakistan, they gave it a massive go and kept coming at us,” said van Niekerk.
“It was an incredible game to be a part of,” she added, while paying tribute to Wolvaardt. “It’s only her third time batting at five, she usually bats at the top, and to display her skills like that, she got us the winning total.”
The dangerous Lizelle Lee, who smashed a century in their last match against Thailand, immediately went on the attack as she opened the Proteas innings, crashing a four off the third delivery.
But pace spearhead Diana Baig bowled a beautiful outswinger and she got an edge to Sidra Nawaz behind the stumps in a big breakthrough for Pakistan.
Baig struck again with van Niekerk gone for three, dragging onto her wicket, to leave South Africa at 17 for two. -APP/AFP
