South Africa’s young cricketers came up short in their T20 Women’s World Cup final against India at the Bayuemas Oval in Malaysia, with the tournament favourites winning by nine wickets.
In the battle of unbeaten sides, India successfully defended their title, dismissing South Africa, who had won the toss and elected to bat, for 82 runs and then reaching their target with one wicket down after 11.2 overs.
After India prevailed in a low-scoring affair, the South African team formed a hurdle with tears streaming down the faces of the players. On the other hand, India’s total supremacy was celebrated with beaming smiles.
Gongadi Trisha was awarded the Player of the Match and Player of the Series for her stunning performance throughout the tournament. She finished the campaign with 309 runs and seven scalps to her name.
South Africa won the toss and opted to bat first. India got an early breakthrough with Parunika Sisodia dismissing opener Simone Lourens for a three-ball duck.
Shabnam Shakil got the second breakthrough by removing dangerous opener Jemma Botha for 16, reducing South Africa to 20-2 at the end of the 4th over.
South Africa stepped into a precarious position when Aayushi grabbed the third wicket by cleaning up Diara Ramlakan, reducing them to 29/3 at the end of the powerplay. South Africa were tottering at the halfway mark, struggling at 33-3.
Captain Kayla Reyneke and Karaba Meso tried to steady the ship, but Reyneke (7) fell in the 11th over. And then it was carnage, with a brief partnership between Mieke van Voorst (23 off 18) and Faye Cowling (15 off 20) before the South African lost five wickets off the last 14 balls.