Pakistan Women vs South Africa Women, 2nd T20I: Hosts bowl first in Benoni with series on the line
South Africa chose to bowl first in the second T20I against Pakistan at Willowmoore Park, Benoni, on Friday, February 13, 2026 (ET), with the home side looking to seal the three-match series after a dramatic last-ball win in the opener.
The toss and early stakes
With a 1-0 lead and favorable home conditions, South Africa backed their attack to make early inroads and control the chase later. The opening game was a nerve-shredder decided off the final ball, a reminder that Pakistan have the tools to stretch the hosts deep again. A win today would give South Africa the series; a Pakistan victory would tee up a winner-takes-all finale.
Confirmed playing XIs
Pakistan Women: Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali (w), Ayesha Zafar, Eyman Fatima, Natalia Pervaiz, Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana (c), Tuba Hassan, Nashra Sandhu, Humna Bilal, Sadia Iqbal.
South Africa Women: Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Laura Wolvaardt (c), Dane van Niekerk, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, Kayla Reyneke, Sinalo Jafta (w), Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba.
Reyneke’s dream debut lifts the Proteas
The series caught fire in Potchefstroom when Kayla Reyneke announced herself with a breakout debut, finishing with a superb 2/13 and then launching a last-ball six to clinch the chase. The composure under pressure, paired with clean ball-striking, immediately broadened South Africa’s finishing options. With the second match starting on the bowl-first script, Reyneke’s off-spin and fielding energy again shape as pivotal in the middle overs, while her late-order power remains a trump card.
South Africa’s blueprint: disciplined ball, deep batting
Laura Wolvaardt’s team has leaned into a pragmatic template at home—disciplined new-ball spells, sharp ground fielding, and a deep batting lineup anchored by senior hands. The selection balance reflects that approach: Marizanne Kapp and Nadine de Klerk provide seam control and batting stability, Nonkululeko Mlaba brings left-arm spin accuracy up front, and Masabata Klaas and Ayabonga Khaka handle hard overs. With Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits and Sune Luus at the top, South Africa have the base to pace a chase or set a platform if plans change.
Pakistan’s path to parity
Pakistan’s near-miss in the opener offered several positives to build on. Captain Fatima Sana’s dual role with ball and bat remains central, while the spin duo of Nashra Sandhu and Tuba Hassan can throttle the middle overs on a surface likely to grip as the game wears on. With Muneeba Ali’s wicketkeeping and strokeplay, Aliya Riaz’s finishing power, and the promise of Eyman Fatima, Pakistan have the components to post a competitive total—and this time, close out the key moments that slipped late in Potchefstroom.
Captains’ cues and the bigger picture
Wolvaardt has framed this home stretch as a launchpad toward the global tournament later in the year, emphasizing the need for momentum and clarity in roles. That context puts extra focus on de Klerk after a strong franchise season abroad, and on the continued integration of younger talents alongside seasoned heads. For Pakistan, a strong response here would underscore depth and resilience in unfamiliar conditions and bolster confidence for a crucial international calendar ahead.
What to watch in Benoni
- Powerplay battles: Can South Africa’s seamers dent Pakistan early, or will Pakistan’s top order bank a platform against the new ball?
- Spin in the middle: Mlaba and Reyneke versus Nashra and Tuba—control and strike potential likely to define the pace of the innings.
- Death overs execution: The opener was decided at the wire; yorkers, variations, and boundary denial will again be decisive.
- Fielding margins: Singles turned into dots—or leaked twos—could swing another tight finish.
With the hosts bowling first on Friday (ET), the second T20I is set up for another tense finish between two sides that pushed each other to the brink in Game 1. South Africa have the advantage; Pakistan have the motivation. The series narrative, and possibly its outcome, may be rewritten by the finest of margins once more in Benoni.
