By Dwayne Ferreira.
Marizanne Kapp’s unbeaten 81 completed South Africa’s highest Women’s T20 World Cup chase and secured a six-wicket victory over India at Old Trafford.
Marizanne Kapp delivered a match-winning all-round performance as South Africa defeated India by six wickets at Emirates Old Trafford, completing their highest successful chase in Women’s T20 World Cup history. Kapp took two for 27 before striking an unbeaten 81 from 45 balls as South Africa reached 161 for four in 19.1 overs, overtaking India’s 158 for seven.
India won the toss and elected to bat, beginning aggressively through Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma. Mandhana struck three boundaries in 17 from 12 balls before Kapp bowled her with the total on 30. Shafali continued to attack, scoring 31 from only 15 deliveries with four fours and a six as India reached 59 for two from the powerplay.
South Africa gradually reduced India’s boundary flow after the fielding restrictions. Yastika Bhatia made 15 and Jemimah Rodrigues 12, but neither converted a start into the substantial innings India required. Harmanpreet Kaur, playing her 200th T20 international, attempted to rebuild with Deepti Sharma but was bowled by Shabnim Ismail for 24.
Deepti supplied a late lift with 29 from 21 balls, including three fours, while Richa Ghosh added 15. Kapp returned to remove Ghosh and completed an economical spell of two for 27. Ismail also claimed two wickets, conceding 28, as South Africa restricted India to 76 runs during the final 10 overs and held the total to 158 for seven.
India then produced an outstanding start with the ball. Shree Charani dismissed Laura Wolvaardt for 20 and bowled Annerie Dercksen for a duck during a double-wicket maiden that closed the powerplay. South Africa were 25 for two after six overs and required another 134 at more than nine and a half runs per over.
Kapp joined Tazmin Brits and initially rebuilt through placement and running rather than uncontrolled hitting. Brits made 40 from 36 deliveries, while Kapp gradually increased her scoring rate as the partnership developed. Their third-wicket stand produced 97 runs from 63 balls and carried South Africa to 122 before Shafali dismissed Brits in the 17th over.
Charani struck again when she bowled Nadine de Klerk for five, completing excellent figures of three for 24. South Africa were 137 for four after 17.5 overs and still needed 22 runs from 13 balls. Kapp, however, had complete control of the required rate and refused to allow India back into the match.
With 18 needed from the final two overs, Kapp launched Deepti for two sixes and collected 16 runs from the 19th. Chloe Tryon then edged the first ball of the final over for four to complete the chase. Kapp finished with seven fours and four sixes in her unbeaten 81, while Tryon ended on 10 not out from four deliveries.
The successful pursuit was South Africa’s highest in the Women’s T20 World Cup and the third-highest completed chase in the tournament’s history. Kapp was the clear Player of the Match after contributing with both bat and ball, transforming a difficult position into one of South Africa’s most significant recent victories.
The result left South Africa and India level on four points from three matches, although India retained second place in Group A because of their stronger net run rate. South Africa moved back into the semi-final race, with victories over the Netherlands and Bangladesh potentially enough to carry them through. India’s first defeat increased the importance of their remaining matches against Bangladesh and Australia.
MATCH SUMMARY
INDIA WOMEN – 158/7, 20 overs
Shafali Verma 31, Deepti Sharma 29, Harmanpreet Kaur 24
Marizanne Kapp 2/27, Shabnim Ismail 2/28, Nadine de Klerk 1/16
SOUTH AFRICA WOMEN – 161/4, 19.1 overs
Marizanne Kapp 81 not out, Tazmin Brits 40, Laura Wolvaardt 20
Shree Charani 3/24, Shafali Verma 1/22, Nandni Sharma 0/17
Result: South Africa Women won by six wickets with five balls remaining.
Player of the Match: Marizanne Kapp.
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