BIRMINGHAM, UK: Pakistan captain Sana Fatima won the toss and elected to bat first against South Africa in the 11th match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Edgbaston on Wednesday, as both teams desperately seek to revive their campaigns after disappointing opening defeats.
🚨 TOSS & PLAYING XI 🚨
Pakistan win the toss and elect to bat first 🏏
Two changes to our team for today’s match 🇵🇰#PAKvSA | #T20WorldCup | #BackOurGirls pic.twitter.com/oqvnt4JVDR
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) June 17, 2026
The Green Shirts, who suffered a 64-run loss to traditional rivals India in their tournament opener, will be hoping to turn the tide against a South African side that also endured a 65-run thrashing at the hands of six-time champions Australia. With both teams yet to register a point, today’s encounter has become a virtual knockout clash for survival in the tournament.
Pakistan and South Africa have faced each other 27 times in Women’s T20Is, with the Proteas holding a slight edge in the head-to-head record. South Africa have secured 15 victories compared to Pakistan’s 12 wins, making for a competitive rivalry that has produced closely fought contests over the years.
Their most recent meeting came in February this year when Pakistan delivered a resounding 53-run victory over South Africa in the third match of the away series, although the Proteas ultimately clinched the series 2-1. That victory will give Pakistan confidence heading into today’s crucial fixture.
The two teams enter today’s fixture with vastly different momentum. Pakistan are winless in their last five T20Is, with their recent record showing two losses and two no results against Ireland and West Indies. South Africa, by contrast, have won three of their last five matches, though they too stumbled in their World Cup opener.
Pakistan Women won the toss and elected to bat first against South Africa Women in the crucial #T20WorldCup match.
Pakistan Women have made two changes to their playing XI.#PAKvSA | #Cricket | #GreenTeam | #OurGameOurPassion | #KhelKaJunoon pic.twitter.com/kvm5gIcWCP
— Green Team (@GreenTeam1992) June 17, 2026
Playing XIs
Pakistan: Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali (wk), Ayesha Zafar, Iram Javed, Natalia Pervaiz, Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana (c), Rameen Shamim, Tuba Hasan, Nashra Sandhu and Sadia Iqbal.
South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Sune Luus, Annerie Dercksen, Nadine de Klerk, Marizanne Kapp, Chloe Tryon, Kayla Reyneke, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka and Nonkululeko Mlaba.
With both teams desperate to open their account in the tournament, today’s match carries immense significance. Pakistan’s batting lineup, featuring the explosive Gull Feroza and experienced Muneeba Ali, will need to fire against a formidable South African bowling attack led by the veteran Shabnim Ismail and Ayabonga Khaka.
For South Africa, captain Laura Wolvaardt will be looking to lead from the front, while the all-round prowess of Marizanne Kapp and Chloe Tryon adds depth to their lineup. Pakistan’s spinners, including Nashra Sandhu and Sadia Iqbal, will play a crucial role in containing the South African batters on a pitch that is expected to offer assistance to slower bowlers.
As the teams take the field at the iconic Edgbaston venue, the pressure is mounting for both sides to deliver a performance that keeps their World Cup hopes alive. Pakistan will draw inspiration from their recent victory over South Africa earlier this year, while the Proteas will be determined to avenge that defeat on cricket’s biggest stage.
