South Africa pulled off their highest successful run chase in Women’s T20Is with a thrilling five-wicket win over Pakistan in the first T20I at Potchefstroom, as debutant Kayla Reyneke stole the spotlight with a match-winning all-round performance.
Pakistan posted an imposing 180 for 9, powered almost single-handedly by captain Fatima Sana. Walking in with her side reeling at 64 for 6, Sana unleashed a breathtaking counterattack, smashing 90 off just 41 balls. Her knock — featuring seven sixes and nine fours — was her maiden T20I half-century and the highest score by a woman batting at No. 7 or lower in the format. With little support from the rest of the batting order, Sana’s fireworks lifted Pakistan to their second-highest T20I total.
Reyneke, the former South Africa Under-19 captain, made an immediate impact on debut. With the ball, she returned superb figures of 2 for 13 from four overs, removing Gull Feroza and Natalia Pervaiz to help stall Pakistan’s progress before Sana’s late surge.
South Africa’s chase began confidently, led by captain Laura Wolvaardt’s fluent 61 off 38 balls. She shared key partnerships with Sune Luus and Dane van Niekerk as the hosts cruised to 133 for 2. However, Wolvaardt’s dismissal triggered a brief wobble, with three wickets falling for 14 runs.
With 10 needed off the final over, the game hung in the balance. Reyneke, unbeaten on 29 from 16 balls, kept her composure. After reducing the equation to two runs off the final delivery, she launched a dramatic six over extra cover to seal victory and cap a memorable debut.
Her unbeaten 29 and calm finishing under pressure earned her Player of the Match honours and gave South Africa a 1-0 lead in the three-match series — a timely boost ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup in England.