Pakistan women's team beat South Africa in third T20I to complete series sweep

Nida Dar's explosive 36-run performance, combined with a stellar bowling display, propelled Pakistan Women to a resounding victory over South Africa in the third T20I, securing a clean sweep of the three-match series.

Chasing a target of 151 runs, South Africa managed to reach 144/5 in their allotted 20 overs, despite Laura Wolvaardt's impressive half-century.

Wolvaardt stood out as the top scorer for her team, amassing a 54-ball 72, adorned with nine boundaries. However, her valiant effort fell short of guiding South Africa to victory, as she became a victim of Sadia Iqbal when her side needed 18 runs off the final 10 balls.

With 13 runs needed off the last over to avoid a whitewash, Diana Baig took the ball for Pakistan and displayed nerves of steel, conceding only six runs to seal the victory for her team.

For Pakistan Women, Nashra Sandhu and Sadia Iqbal played pivotal roles by grabbing two wickets each.

Batting first, Pakistan accumulated a total of 150 runs for the loss of five wickets in their allotted 20 overs, thanks to a collective effort from their batters.

Openers Shawaal Zulfiqar and the in-form Sidra Ameen laid a strong foundation with a solid 41-run partnership. The duo exhibited sensible batting before Shawaal was dismissed by Nonkululeko Mlaba in the seventh over, giving South Africa their first breakthrough. Shawaal managed to score 18 runs off 19 deliveries with the aid of three boundaries.

Sidra Ameen continued her innings alongside the experienced Bismah Maroof, forming an important 49-run partnership for the second wicket. Sidra, who had played a match-winning half-century in the second T20I, could not replicate her previous performance in the third T20I as she departed after contributing a run-a-ball 39, which included four boundaries.

Following Sidra's dismissal, the seasoned pair of Bismah and skipper Nida Dar added a sensational 49-run partnership to bolster Pakistan's total. Dar took charge of the fifth-wicket stand with aggressive hitting, while Bismah rotated the strike, but both fell in the 19th over.

Bismah played a crucial anchor role, scoring 39 runs off 34 deliveries, while Nida Dar's quickfire 36 off just 20 balls, featuring five boundaries and a six, provided the late surge. Wicketkeeper batter Muneeba Ali contributed eight valuable runs to Pakistan's total before being dismissed on the penultimate delivery of the innings.