Fatima Sana starred with bat and ball as Pakistan beat South Africa by 53 runs in the third women’s T20I in Benoni on Monday.

The Proteas Women won the series 2-1.

Sana, named Player of the Match and Series, struck an unbeaten 47* off 30 balls to lift Pakistan to 144-7 in their 20 overs.

The right-arm seamer then returned 2-12, while Sadia Iqbal took 3-18 to restrict South Africa to 91-9. Marizanne Kapp did not bat after falling ill.

Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat, but lost openers Muneeba Ali and Gull Feroza without scoring. A run-out effected by wicketkeeper Karabo Meso, along with a wicket from Masabata Klaas (1-32), reduced the visitors to 2-2.

Ayesha Zafar (19) and Sidra Amin (26) steadied the innings, taking Pakistan to 46-2 at the end of the powerplay before Zafar was caught off Nonkululeko Mlaba (1-22).

Pakistan reached 61-4 at the halfway mark after Amin was run out, while Ayabonga Khaka (1-26) dismissed Natalia Pervaiz (seven) to leave the visitors 73-5 after 12 overs.

A key stand between Sana and Aliya Riaz (26) then lifted Pakistan to 126-5 with two overs remaining. Although Riaz was run out in the penultimate over, Sana ensured a competitive finish as Pakistan closed on 144-7.

Chasing 145, the Proteas suffered early setbacks. Sana and Iqbal shared four wickets between them as Tazmin Brits (nought), Lara Goodall (11), Laura Wolvaardt (11) and Dané van Niekerk (nought) fell, leaving South Africa 36-4 after six overs.

Nadine de Klerk (27) and Annerie Dercksen (30) rebuilt with a 50-run partnership to take the hosts to 56-4 at the halfway stage, still needing 89 from 60 balls.

However, Dercksen was run out with the score on 85-5 after 15 overs, triggering a collapse. De Klerk was caught in the deep off Zafar, while two run-outs accounted for Klaas (one) and Khaka (one).

Iqbal claimed her third wicket to wrap up the innings with 19 balls to spare, completing a convincing victory for Pakistan.

Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images