Wolvaardt hits fifty as Proteas beat Pakistan in final T20 World Cup warm-up

Proteas batter Laura Wolvaardt scored a superb half-century as South Africa defeated Pakistan in their final T20 Women's World Cup warm-up at Boland Park on Wednesday.

Despite a slight batting collapse late on, the Proteas secured a six-wicket victory as they prepare to take on Sri Lanka in the tournament opener on Friday.

Chasing 143 to win, Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits put on a 107-run opening stand to put the Proteas in firm control.

Wolvaardt smashed 65 off 42 balls (hitting five fours and three sixes) before Aliya Riaz got the breakthrough.

Brits fell soon after her opening partner as she hit an uppish drive straight to a fielder off the bowling of Sadia Iqbal. She scored 36 off 37 balls (hitting six fours).

Riaz got her second wicket when skipper Sune Luus was caught for three.

After being 107-0, South Africa soon crumbled to 116-4 with two new batters at the crease as Fatima Sana Khan bowled Anneke Bosch for three.

However, all-rounders Chloe Tryon (12*) and Nadine de Klerk (14*) ensured the Proteas got over the line with 10 balls to spare.

Earlier, Ayabonga Khaka took two wickets as the Proteas restricted Pakistan to 142-5.

Nonkululeko Mlaba struck first as she bowled opener Sidra Amin for 15. Muneeba Ali Siddiqui was then bowled by Khaka for 10.

Pakistan opener Javeria Wadood followed soon after, caught for 17 off the bowling of Luus.

A 45-run partnership between Ayesha Naseem and Aliya Riaz helped Pakistan recover somewhat before Khaka got the breakthrough and bowled out Naseem for 21 off 12 balls (a four and a six).

Riaz stood tall for Pakistan as she scored an unbeaten 48 off 30 balls (hitting seven fours and a six).

Masabata Klaas got the last wicket off the final ball of the innings as Khan was caught for 10.

Friday's