Proteas Women focus on execution ahead of third T20I in Benoni

Proteas Women’s fast bowler Ayabonga Khaka emphasised that the squad is focused on executing their plans and not worrying about the result as the squad builds toward the third and final T20I match in Benoni on Monday.

South Africa Women have already secured an unassailable 2-0 series lead, having won the first match at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom and the second in Benoni earlier this week.

The third and final match of the series is scheduled to be played in Benoni, meaning the Proteas Women’s side has to be wary, given that Pakistan Women now have a better understanding of the conditions, having played in the same venue on Friday evening.

Proteas Women’s fast bowler Ayabonga Khaka acknowledged that Pakistan Women will be better come Monday, but also reiterated that South Africa should focus on executing their plans and let the result take care of itself.

“They also know the conditions now. I think as a team, we just need to come here and tick our boxes,” Khaka told the reporters.

“I think the most important thing for us for this series is to tick the boxes more than anything, and as much as we can do that as a team, the results will take care of themselves.”

South Africa’s series-winning six-wicket victory during the second T20I in Benoni on Friday evening was a much-improved performance from the narrow victory in the first T20I match in Potchefstroom.

In Potchefstroom, the hosts chased 180 odd, with the debutant Kayla Reyneke hitting the winning runs off the last delivery of the match.

Whereas in Benoni on Friday, the Proteas were much more clinical with the ball, reducing the visitors to 100/9 in the 14-over per side match, and successfully chasing the target with relative ease.

Khaka highlighted that the surface in Benoni was conducive to seam bowling, a feat that helped her pick up three wickets in the match, earning the Player of the Match award.

“I think as a team, today we came in, we knew what we wanted. We wanted to win the series. I think we just came today and executed everything and made sure we improved from the previous game,” said Khaka.

“I think the wicket first suited us, especially the pace bowlers. Secondly, I think we executed better than we did in Potch. I think yesterday, as a bowling unit, we didn't even bowl to the batters.”

The third and final T20I match between the Proteas Women and Pakistan Women is scheduled to get underway at 6:00 pm SAST on Monday in Benoni.