Wolvaardt shines, SA seal semifinal berth
SYDNEY: Laura Wolvaardt scored an unbeaten half-century to help South Africa clinch a semifinal berth with a comfortable 17-run victory against Pakistan in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup here on Sunday.
The Proteas posted 136 for six thanks to a late flurry from the 20-year-old Wolvaardt (53 not out), who hit four boundaries in the final eight balls of the innings.
With Pakistan only managing 119 for five, South Africa earned a third successive win to join India in securing a place in Thursday’s semifinals.
Entering the game after a centurion against Thailand, Lizelle Lee (4) didn’t last long as Diana Baig picked up a wicket in her first over for the third game running after South Africa opted to bat. Diana then dismissed Dane van Niekerk (3), who faced 10 balls. Marizanne Kapp ended the Powerplay with a wristy flick for a four as South Africa reached 23 for two.
Mignon du Preez looked assured in advancing to 17 but mistimed her reverse sweep off Nida Dar and played on to make it 54 for three. Wolvaardt came to the middle and struggled to get going with Kapp (31), who holed out to long-off for teenager Syeda
Aroob Shah’s maiden Women’s T20 World Cup wicket.
South Africa’s score ticked past 100 in the 17th over when Sune Luus departed for 12, looping Aiman to Omaima Sohail at point. Wolvaardt then pierced the gap between two fielders through long-on and twice played over cover. South Africa maintained the momentum with the ball and dismissed Muneeba Ali (12), who miscued Shabnim Ismail to mid-on in the fourth over. Pakistan could never take off from there.
Brief Scores: South Africa: 136 for 2 in 20 overs (L Wolvaardt 53 *, M Kapp 31; D Baig 2-19) Pakistan: 119 for 5 in 20 overs (A Riaz 39*; J Khan 31; S Ismail 1-20)