Iram Javed T20 best puts Pakistan 2-1 up over SA

Career-best efforts from Tazmin Brits and Moseline Daniels were not enough as the Proteas Women slipped to a four-wicket defeat to Pakistan in the third T20 International at the City Oval in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday.

Opener Brits slammed an unbeaten 70 off 61 balls (9 fours, 1 six) to help the hosts post a competitive 138 for three after they lost the toss and were put into bat on a warm autumn afternoon in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.

It looked an insurmountable total three overs into the chase when the tourists were reduced to 3/3 thanks to Shabnim Ismail’s outstanding 2-6, but a personal best score of 55 (45 balls, 7 fours, 1 six) from Iram Javed took her side to the win with two balls remaining.

For her part, Daniels excelled with a fantastic 4-20, but it was not enough as South Africa fell 2-1 behind in the five-match series.

It was a disappointing defeat, especially after they looked the stronger side for three-quarters of the match.

They lost Lizelle Lee (2) early in the match, before a fine 80-run second wicket stand between Britz and Nadine de Klerk (36) set them on their way, before the final flourish came from the bat of captain Sune Luus, who clubbed a quick-fire 28 off 18 balls – the home side setting 139 for victory.

Ismail and Daniels then stunned the Pakistani top order by taking them out for 0, 1 and 2 - Javeria Khan, Bismah Maroof and Umaima Sohail failing to make any impression.

Then came the rebuilding job as Nida Dar and Javed put on 77 for the fourth wicket.

And despite the loss of all those wickets, the away side was never threatened by the run rate.

Even after Dar departed for 32, Aliya Riaz (30) threw her weight behind Javed to take Pakistan to the brink, with Kainat Imtiaz (7) and Sana Mir (6) carrying them over the line.

The series now moves to Benoni for the final two matches, with the next one taking place at Willowmoore Park on 22 May.