Pakistan defeated South Africa's women's team by four wickets in the third T20I clash here on Sunday to take a lead (2-1) in their ongoing five-match T20I series being played.
Chasing a total of 139 runs, Pakistan had a very penurious start as they were at 4/3 after the completion of third over. South Africa's Shabnim Ismail got hold of both the openers, Umaima Sohail and Javeria Khan while Moseline Dels took wicket of Bismah Maroof.
Then Nida Dar and Iram Javed took the field and provided their side a much needed momentum as they played some brilliant shots. However, in the 12th over Moseline Dels got hold of Dar (32).
Aliya Riaz then joined the on-field batter Javed. Javed kept on hammering boundaries and scored her half-century. Moseline Dels then took wicket of Riaz in the 18th over which halted her 30-run inning.
Javed (55) too gave away her wicket in the last over of the inning. Kainat Imtiaz and Sana Mir came out to bat and took their side over the line to register a four-wicket victory over the hosts.
Earlier, South Africa had a decent start as Lizelle Lee and Tazmin Brits put 12 runs on the board before Lee (2) got run out in the second over. Nadine de Klerk then accomped Brits and both played cautiously to provide their side a good momentum.
Brits scored her half-century but soon after that Nadine de Klerk (36) gave away her wicket to Kainat Imtiaz. Chloe Tryon then came out to bat but she too was sent back to the pavilion in the very next over bowled by Aliya Riaz. Sune Luus then accomped Brits and both played furiously.
Brits played an unbeaten knock of 70 runs while Luus scored 28 runs off just 18 balls and helped their side put up a decent total of 138 runs.
Pakistan women will now face South Africa women for their fourth T20I match on May 22.