South Africa boost semi final hopes with win over Scotland

South Africa's resounding 80-run victory against Scotland in Dubai increased their chances of making it to the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 semi-finals.

Leading the way at bat were Tazmin Brits (43), Marizanne Kapp (43) and Laura Wolvaardt (40), as the Proteas achieved the highest score of the competition thus far, 166 for five.

Scotland was bowled for 86 after Nonkululeko Mlaba claimed three wickets in reply. This was the debutants' third consecutive loss, which meant they would be eliminated from the group stage.

After winning the toss, South Africa chose to bat and managed to avoid an early letoff when Wolvaardt, at two, mishandled a full delivery from Kathryn Bryce to Katherine Fraser, who put down a regulation chance at mid-off.

To make matters worse, the opening hit the next ball for four. Then, he teamed up with the British to maximize the powerplay, which ended with 18 from the sixth over as the groundwork was set for a commanding total.

Fraser's crucial breakthrough for Scotland, where Wolvaardt was caught by Olivia Bell halfway through the eighth over, made up for her missed catch. However, the Brits kept up their momentum and soon struck the same bowler for six over long-on.

After Brits was caught at long-off, Kapp took up the offensive batsmanship after Anneke Bosch fell for 11. She hit six boundaries in her 24-ball 43 before falling in the 18th over.

As South Africa set Scotland 167 to win, Sune Luus chipped in with an undefeated eighteen from thirteen deliveries, but Scotland's response got off to a poor start, finishing the powerplay at 34 for three.

Saskia Horley was caught at extra cover, while Sarah and Kathryn were caught and bowled, giving Chloe Tryon the decisive victories over the Bryce sisters.

As Luus held on to a superb return catch to see Lorna Jack-Brown through, Mlaba clean bowled Ailsa Lister and Darcey Carter. Wickets continued to fall regularly and be divided about the attack.

Down the order, Fraser (14) offered some resistance, but Bosch made a superb catch to make Mlaba her third victim. Mlaba then made an outstanding diving catch of her own to remove Abtaha Maqsood and end the match in the eighteenth over.

Quick scores

Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates vs. South Africa

166/5 in 20 overs for South Africa (Katherine Fraser 1/15, Darcey Carter 1/17; Marizanne Kapp 43, Tazmin Brits 43).

With Katherine Fraser at 14, Ailsa Lister at 12, Nonkululeko Mlaba at 3, Nadine de Klerk at 2, and Scotland 86 all out in 17.5 overs,

South Africa triumphs by an innings.