Women’s T20 World Cup 2020: Laura Wolvaardt shines as South Africa beat Pakistan to qualify for the semis

After India, South Africa becomes the second team to qualify for the semi-finals in the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup. They defeated Pakistan in the Group B encounter at Sydney Showground Stadium on Sunday.

#T20WorldCup 2020 semi-finalists:
1️⃣ India
2️⃣ South Africa
3️⃣ ____________
4️⃣ ____________
Who will take the final two spots? pic.twitter.com/IvOQvOTYzc
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) March 1, 2020

Chasing 137, Pakistani batters crumbled against the quality bowling of the Proteas and could only post 119-5 runs in 20 overs, losing the contest by 17 runs. Aliya Riaz (39) was Pakistan’s highest scorer.

Earlier, South Africa batters also struggled to score runs at a good run-rate, as the consistent falling of wickets restricted them to post a big total. Pakistani speedster Diana Baig got her nation off to a superb start as she dismissed the dangerous Lizelle Lee in the very first over.

Baig also sent back skipper Dane van Niekerk in the fifth over to reduce the South Africans to 17/2, but then the duo of Marizanne Kapp and Mignon du Preez added a 37-run stand for the third wicket to take their side out of trouble.

All smiles after qualifying for the #T20WorldCup semi-finals 😃🤳#SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/WQibFxS64B
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) March 1, 2020

After 16 overs, the Van Niekerk-led side was 91-4. But then middle-order batter Laura Wolvaardt (53 off 36 balls) played a fantabulous knock to take the rainbow nation to 136-6. South Africa scored 54 runs off the last five overs to reach a competitive total.