After losing their opening fixtures — Pakistan to India and South Africa to Australia — both teams entered this Group A clash at Edgbaston in desperate need of a victory to keep their semi-final hopes alive. South Africa, ranked fifth in the world, were stunned by Australia in their opener, while Pakistan, ranked eighth, were outplayed by India.

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana won the toss and elected to bat first, hoping to put runs on the board against a South African side that looked vulnerable in their first match. The decision, however, backfired spectacularly early on.

Pakistan’s innings was a tale of two halves: absolute disaster, followed by a heroic rescue act. Marizanne Kapp, the veteran South African all-rounder, produced a stunning opening spell that ripped through Pakistan’s top order. She trapped Muneeba Ali lbw with the very first ball of the match — a decision that was overturned on review — and then cleaned up Gull Feroza in the same over.Sources: BBC Sport, ICC

Pakistan’s batting collapsed in spectacular fashion. Kapp claimed her third wicket when she trapped Ayesha Zafar lbw in the third over. Ayabonga Khaka then dismissed Natalia Pervaiz, and two more run-outs — including a comical mix-up between Rameen Shamim and Iram Javed — reduced Pakistan to a disastrous 50/8 in the 11th over.Sources: Olympics.com, ESPNcricinfo

Then came the turnaround. Captain Fatima Sana, who had walked in at No. 7, found an unlikely partner in Tuba Hassan. The pair added 71 runs for the ninth wicket — the highest ninth-wicket partnership in Women’s T20 World Cup history.Source: ICC Sana played a counter-attacking knock, striking six fours and two sixes in her 38-ball 55 not out. She launched Nadine de Klerk for back-to-back sixes in the final over, plundering 19 runs to push Pakistan to 126/9.Sources: BBC Sport, ESPNcricinfo Tuba Hassan, the No. 10 batter, contributed a valiant 23 off 27 balls before being run out in the final over.Source: ICC

Chasing 127, South Africa made a shaky start. Fatima Sana, not content with her batting heroics, struck early to remove Sune Luus for 5 in the second over.Source: ICC Laura Wolvaardt, the South African captain, was run out for 8, leaving the Proteas at 53/2 in the seventh over.Source: News18

Then came Annerie Dercksen. The 24-year-old played a fearless knock, scoring 52 off 35 balls with seven fours and two sixes. She took the attack to Pakistan’s bowlers, cutting Fatima Sana to the boundary and launching Rameen Shamim over deep midwicket. Her partnership of 42 with Wolvaardt and a 42-run stand with Marizanne Kapp (10) kept South Africa ahead of the required rate.Source: Olympics.com

But Pakistan fought back. Tuba Hassan, who had starred with the bat, broke the partnership by dismissing Wolvaardt. Nashra Sandhu then stumped Kapp for 10, and Sadia Iqbal removed both Chloe Tryon (4) and Kayla Reyneke (2) to leave South Africa at 107/6 in the 15th over.Source: News18 Fatima Sana then bowled Sinalo Jafta for 5, reducing South Africa to 126/8.

With one run needed off the final over, Nadine de Klerk (37 off 28) was dismissed, but a wide from Fatima Sana in the final over sealed the win for South Africa.Source: ICC The Proteas had done it, winning by two wickets with over three overs to spare.Source: BBC Sport

South Africa’s victory moves them to third place in Group A with two points. They will travel to Manchester to face India on Sunday, June 21 — a crucial match that could define their semi-final hopes.Source: ESPNcricinfo

Pakistan, still winless after two matches, will take on Bangladesh in Southampton on Saturday, June 20.Source: ESPNcricinfo A loss would all but end their semi-final aspirations.

India and Australia currently lead the group with four points each, setting up a potential blockbuster clash later in the tournament.