Coach Mandla Mashimbyi and skipper Laura Wolvaardt have much to reflect on over the next few days after the Proteas Women learnt the hard way that catches and clinical fielding win matches.

SA suffered a 53-run defeat to Pakistan in the third T20I at Willowmoor Park on February 16.

Despite wrapping up a 2-1 series win, Mashimbyi and Wolvaardt have been left with a major headache going into the ODI series as the Proteas again failed to register a clean sweep over Pakistan after dominating the first two matches.

The hosts only had themselves to blame after dropping five catches, while sloppy fielding was also a major factor. They allowed Pakistan back into the game after taking two early wickets, eventually dismissing their visitors for a defendable 144/7.

SA never really sparkled with the bat, losing four wickets in the powerplay, as Pakistan captain Fatima Sana put on an exceptional all-round performance, leading her team to a consolation win with a crucial 47 off 30, before taking two wickets.

Bowling first, SA had the tourists in all sorts of trouble with two wickets in the first two overs. Wolvaardt ran out Muneeba Ali with the second ball of the match before Gull Feroza miscued Masabata Klaas to Annerie Dercksen at cover.

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But Ayesha Zafar and Sidra Amin put on a fightback, stitching together 38 off 31 for the third wicket as Pakistan ended the powerplay on 46/2.

However, right-arm quick Ayabonga Khaka broke the partnership when Zafar, looking to clear the infield, was caught by Wolvaardt at backward point.

Khaka was again back in the action in the 10th over, combining with keeper Karabo Meso to run out Amin, who was looking to steal an extra run, before Pervaiz holed her out to Tazmin Brits at deep midwicket.

Sana, given a lifeline twice when she was dropped by Brits and Danè van Niekerk, and Aliya Riaz, dropped twice by Dercksen with consecutive deliveries off Khakha, wrestled back control with a crucial 70-run stand for the sixth-wicket that took the tourists to 144/7 in their 20 overs.

In response, Sana and Sadia Iqbal dealt with the SA top order in the powerplay, combining for the wickets of Brits (0), Wolvaardt (11), Lara Goodall (11) and Van Niekerk (0).

The fightback came from Naidine de Klerk and Dercksen. They collaborated for a 55-run sixth-wicket stand, and while this partnership was crucial, it was slow going. It was stitched with 65 balls, and when both batters fell within three balls off each other in the 15th and 16th overs, the game swung Pakistan’s way.

Iqbal ended with 3-18 and Sana took 2-12 as they dismissed their hosts for 91.

Sana was named the player of the match and the series.

The two teams next face off in a three-match ODI series, which begins in Bloemfontein on February 22.

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