Laura Wolvaardt proud of Proteas Women’s composure in series-sealing win over Pakistan

Proteas Women’s skipper Laura Wolvaardt was proud of the composure her side showed under pressure as they clinched the rain-shortened second T20I against Pakistan at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on Friday night.

Reduced to 14 overs a side, the contest demanded precision. South Africa’s disciplined bowling effort restricted the visitors to 100, laying the platform for what looked a straightforward chase.

The hosts appeared to be cruising before a mid-innings wobble left them behind the par score, with more rain threatening to intervene. It fell to the experienced Wolvaardt to steady proceedings as the Proteas reached 104/4 with four balls to spare, sealing the series with a match in hand. 

“Very pleased to get the series win. I think we’re trying to find a way to win games even when there’s a little bit of nerves on the middle, so very pleased we were able to come out on top today,” Wolvaardt said in her post-match television interview.

With the series already secured after Tuesday’s win in Potchefstroom, there may have been temptation to rotate and experiment. But Wolvaardt made it clear that maintaining momentum remains the priority.

“I think we’ll be looking to win it 3-0. I think it’s been a while since we won bilateral series consistently, and if we have the opportunity to win it 3-0 then I think that will be the first priority,” she said.

Earlier, seamer Ayabonga Khaka produced a decisive spell of 3/10 in two overs to keep Pakistan in check and earn the Player of the Match award.

“I think today it was just about trying to execute – correcting what we had struggled with in the previous game. I think it was to just come and be us as a bowling unit, I think,” she said afterwards.

Pakistan captain Fathima Sana pointed to her side’s failure to adapt as a key factor in the defeat.

“I think the pitch was a little bit tricky at the start because of the rain and the conditions. I think adaptability was not there at times but they played really well in the end,” she said, calling for sharper execution in Monday’s final T20I at the same venue.