South Africa secure first Women's T20 World Cup win over Pakistan

South Africa earned their first victory at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, defeating Pakistan by two wickets at Edgbaston. After a heavy defeat to tournament favourites Australia in their opener, the Proteas were in need of a strong performance. Veteran all-rounder Marizanne Kapp provided that with brilliant bowling, taking two wickets in the first over and helping reduce Pakistan to a precarious 29-5, then 50-8. Pakistan's batting collapse included three run-outs due to poor running between the wickets.

However, captain Fatima Sana mounted a superb counter-attack, scoring an unbeaten 55 off 38 balls, including two sixes in the final over bowled by Nadine de Klerk which conceded 19 runs. Sana's innings lifted Pakistan to 126-9. She also kept her side in the game with the ball, taking 3-16 as South Africa made hard work of the chase, losing wickets regularly.

Annerie Dercksen's 52 and De Klerk's 37 eventually guided South Africa to 127-8 with 3.4 overs to spare. South Africa will need significant improvement in their batting to challenge India and Australia for a top-two spot. The Proteas have reached the last two T20 World Cup finals but lost both. Pakistan have now lost two matches in the tournament, having previously fallen to India.