Captain Fatima Sana’s heroic all-round act involving 55 not out with the bat and 3-16 with the ball went in vain as South Africa edged past Pakistan by two wickets while chasing 127 in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Wednesday.
How did Fatima Sana create history with bat and ball?
Leading from the front, Fatima played a decisive role in both innings. She struck an unbeaten 55 and later claimed figures of 3-16 to keep South Africa under pressure.
Her exploits made her the first captain in the history of the 10 ICC Women’s T20 World Cups to score a half-century and take three wickets in the same match.
Fatima also shared a record 71-run ninth-wicket partnership with Tuba Hassan, helping Pakistan recover from a precarious position and post a competitive total of 126-9.
How did South Africa's chase unfold?
South Africa appeared to be cruising at 76-2, thanks largely to Annerie Dercksen's aggressive 52 off 35 balls, which included seven boundaries and two sixes.
Fatima struck early in the chase, while Tuba Hassan dismissed Laura Wolvaardt in the seventh over. Dercksen and Marizanne Kapp then added 23 runs to strengthen South Africa's position before Nashra Sandhu had Kapp stumped for 10. Tuba later bowled Dercksen through the gate to revive Pakistan's hopes.
Pakistan continued to chip away at the wickets. Sadia Iqbal removed Chloe Tryon in the 13th over and Kayla Reyneke two overs later, reducing South Africa to 107-6.
With only two runs needed for victory, Fatima bowled Sinalo Jafta with the score on 125-7 and then had Nadine de Klerk, who made 37 off 28 balls, caught behind. However, South Africa eventually crossed the finish line with two wickets in hand.
How did Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma power India to a huge win?
Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma starred as India crushed the Netherlands by 95 runs. The opening pair added 115 runs for the first wicket to lay the platform for India's imposing total of 209-5 in Leeds.
Mandhana top-scored with 74 off 47 balls, including 11 fours and a six, while Verma struck 55 with 10 boundaries.
India's batting blitz left the Dutch with little chance of mounting a successful chase. Captain Babette de Leede top-scored with 28, but Verma completed an impressive all-round performance by taking three wickets, while Sree Charani wrapped up the emphatic win.
India have now won both of their matches in England after beginning their campaign with a victory over arch-rivals Pakistan.
How did Georgia Voll inspire Australia's comfortable victory over Bangladesh?
Georgia Voll led the way as Australia eased to a nine-wicket victory over Bangladesh at Headingley. She struck six fours and one six in an unbeaten 45 off 32 balls as Australia chased down the target of 78 while losing only one wicket and with more than 10 overs remaining.
Bangladesh struggled throughout their innings and finished with 77-8 from 20 overs. Sophie Molineux, Kim Garth and Ellyse Perry picked up two wickets each to keep the batters under pressure.
Australia registered their second successive win after opening the tournament with a 65-run victory over South Africa. Bangladesh, meanwhile, had started their campaign with a win over the Netherlands.
