Annerie Dercksen struck a half-century and Nadine de Klerk held her nerve at the death as the Proteas Women opened their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 account with a two-wicket win over Pakistan, at Edgbaston in Birmingham, England, on Wednesday, 17 June 2026.
Chasing 127, South Africa withstood a brilliant all-round performance from Pakistan captain Fatima Sana to get their tournament back on track after the opening defeat to Australia, reaching their target with 19 balls to spare.
Put in to bowl, the Proteas Women made the perfect start. Marizanne Kapp pinned Muneeba Ali leg before with the very first ball of the match, the original not-out verdict overturned on review, and five balls later clattered into Gull Feroza’s middle stump to leave Pakistan three for 2.
Ayesha Zafar pulled Kapp, the Proteas Women’s second-leading T20 International wicket-taker, for four but fell lbw to the same bowler the following delivery, and Natalia Pervaiz dragged Ayabonga Khaka onto her own stumps as Wahab Riaz’s side slipped to 14 for 4. The South African fielders then took over, De Klerk running out Rameen Shamim after a mix-up and Kayla Reyneke accounting for Iram Javed in a sharp display in the field.
Aliya Riaz advanced at Shabnim Ismail and was caught at backward point by Suné Luus, leaving Pakistan 45 for 7 at the halfway mark, before Nashra Sundhu was run out at the non-striker’s end following a collision in mid-pitch. Kapp finished with three for 23 and Ismail one for 15.
Pakistan’s resistance came through a record stand. Fatima, the ICC’s seventh-ranked all-rounder, counter-attacked superbly for 55 not out from 38 balls, striking back-to-back sixes off De Klerk to reach her half-century in the final over. Alongside Tuba Hassan, who made 23 before being run out, she added 71 for the ninth wicket, the highest ninth-wicket partnership in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup history, to lift Pakistan to 126 for 9.
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Fatima was quickly into the contest with the ball, forcing Luus to chop on in the second over, but Dercksen answered with intent. She cut Fatima to the fence, launched Rameen Shamim over deep midwicket and added consecutive fours to carry South Africa to 48 for 1 at the end of the powerplay.
Laura Wolvaardt, in her 100th T20 International, fell for eight, swept to fine leg off Tuba Hassan, but Dercksen pressed on, lifting Nashra Sundhu for six and cutting four to bring up a 32-ball half-century as South Africa reached 75 for 2 in the 10th over.
The innings then wobbled. Kapp was stumped by Muneeba Ali after a lengthy review, and Dercksen was bowled through her legs by a ripping Tuba Hassan leg-break for 52 to make it 76 for 4. Chloé Tryon was caught behind off Sadia Iqbal, and Reyneke chipped the same bowler straight to Fatima, but De Klerk stayed calm, riding two dropped chances to take her side to the brink.
A late twist threatened when Sinalo Jafta was bowled by Fatima and De Klerk, on 37, was caught behind with the scores level. But a Fatima wide settled it, South Africa home by two wickets to register their first points of the campaign.
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The result lifts the Proteas Women off the foot of Group 1 and breathes life into their qualification hopes ahead of a demanding run-in. Wolvaardt’s side now turn to India at Old Trafford in Manchester on Sunday, 21 June 2026, with the meetings against the Netherlands and Bangladesh to follow, knowing that points and net run rate alike may yet prove decisive in a tight pool.
The Proteas Women Group Results and Fixtures at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England and Wales
Sat 13 June: Australia beat South Africa by 65 runs (Old Trafford, Manchester)
Wed 17 June: South Africa beat Pakistan by 2 wicketw (Edgbaston, Birmingham)
Sun 21 June, 15h30: South Africa vs. India (Old Trafford, Manchester)
Thu 25 June, 19h30: South Africa vs. Netherlands (Bristol County Ground, Bristol)
Sun 28 June, 11h30: South Africa vs. Bangladesh (Lord’s, London)
All times are SAST.
The Proteas Women Team Sheet against Pakistan at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England and Wales
1. Laura Wolvaardt (C)
2. Suné Luus
3. Annerie Dercksen
4. Nadine de Klerk
5. Marizanne Kapp
6. Chloé Tryon
7. Kayla Reyneke
8. Sinalo Jafta (W)
9. Shabnim Ismail
10. Ayabonga Khaka
11. Nonkululeko Mlaba
Substitutes
12. Tumi Sekhukhune
13. Dané van Niekerk
14. Karabo Meso
15. Tazmin Brits
Pakistan Women’s Squad
1. Gull Feroza
2. Ayesha Zafar
3. Iram Javed
4. Eyman Fatima
5. Aliya Riaz
6. Natalia Parvaiz
7. Saira Jabeen
8. Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (W)
9. Fatima Sana Khan (C)
10. Tuba Hassan
11. Rameen Shamim
Substitutes
12. Sadia Iqbal
13. Nashra Sundhu
14. Diana Baig
15. Tasmia Rubab
Main Photo Caption: Annerie Dercksen unleashes a powerful shot during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 match against Pakistan at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Wednesday, 17 June. South Africa bounced back in the tournament by securing a hard-fought two-wicket victory over Pakistan. Photo: Cricket SA
Photo 2 Caption: Marizanne Kapp celebrates a crucial wicket against Pakistan, leading the team’s bowling with a haul of three wickets for 24 runs.
Photo 3 Caption: South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt reaching a milestone 100th T20 International cap against Pakistan on Wedneday.
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