ANTIGUA – The Proteas women’s batting woes continued when they were restricted to 72/9 and suffered a 90-run defeat in their first official ICC Women’s World T20 warm-up match against Pakistan at Coolidge Cricket Stadium in Antigua on Saturday.
Chasing the sub-continent side’s 162/5, South Africa lost openers Lizelle Lee and Laura Wolvaardt for three and none within the first two overs of their innings. Robyn Searle (6), promoted to number three was run out two overs later but they were given hope by Marizanne Kapp (29) and Suné Luus’ 45-run, fifth-wicket stand.
It came to a swift end at the conclusion of the 10th over when the latter was removed by Aliya Riaz (1/14) for 23, South Africa were 62/4.
The trouble began when another clump of wickets tumbled, seeing the Proteas lose their last five for just 10 runs. They ended the match on 72/9, opting not to bat their remaining players as a precaution.
Captain Dané van Niekerk fell ill earlier in the day and sat out of the match. Moseline Daniels and Yolani Fourie are en route to the tournament after they were recently named as replacements for Raisibe Ntozakhe and Saarah Smith.
Pakistan’s scorecard looked completely different thanks to a top order that fired from the first over. Opener Ayesha Zafar top scored with 46 from 33 deliveries (8x4s) while Umaima Sohail (30), Aliya Riaz (27) and Nahida Khan (27) ensured that the scoreboard stayed ticking for the majority of the innings.
Luus was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2/25 in her four-over spell while Masabata Klaas (1/26) and Tumi Sekhukhune (1/40) managed one each.
South Africa move to Guyana on Sunday as the tournament proper creeps ever closer. They will face Australia in their second and last official warm-up match on Tuesday.