The ICC Academy Ground in Dubai hosted the final warm-up game for the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup, featuring India and the 2023 finalists, South Africa. Both teams are now set to start their official campaigns on Friday, October 4. India entered the match with confidence after defeating the West Indies by 20 runs earlier in the week, whereas South Africa was struggling after a convincing loss to New Zealand.
South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl. India's opening pair of Shafali Varma and Smriti Mandhana stepped out to bat, but the momentum swung quickly in the bowlers' favor. Ayabonga Khaka proved lethal, removing Shafali Varma for 0 off 2 balls and then claiming the wicket of captain Harmanpreet Kaur for 10 off 11, sending both back to the dugout early.
The slump continued as left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba removed Smriti Mandhana, who struggled to find her rhythm and scored 21 off 22. Shortly after, Jemimah was dismissed by Dercksen for 26 runs from 30 balls. With the top order collapsed, India had to shift into recovery mode, leaving Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma with the task of stabilizing the innings and building a partnership against the South African attack.
Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh eventually managed to steady the ship with a 70-run stand. However, Khaka returned to break the partnership, dismissing Ghosh for 36 off 25 balls, an innings that included two boundaries and two sixes. Khaka then tore through the lower order, taking the wickets of Pooja Vastrakar (2) and Shreyanka Patil (0) on consecutive deliveries. Deepti Sharma remained unbeaten on 35 from 29 balls, including two fours, helping India reach a respectable total of 144/7 by the end of their 20 overs.
South Africa's chase of 145 began strongly with Tazmin Brits and Laura Wolvaardt providing a steady start. The duo put on 37 runs without loss before Asha Sobhana broke the deadlock, dismissing Brits for 22 runs off 25 balls.
The momentum shifted further as Deepti Sharma removed Anneke Bosch for 3. Then, Shreyanka Patil delivered a precise length ball that Wolvaardt couldn't connect with, leading to her departure for 29 runs off 26 balls. Asha Sobhana then struck again to remove Sune Luus for just 3, leaving South Africa reeling at 66/4 by the 12th over. The pressure mounted as Harmanpreet Kaur dismissed Nadine de Klerk for 4, and Shafali Varma claimed the wicket of Chloe Tryon, who had fought back for 24 off 20 balls.
Despite a late flourish from Annerie Dercksen, who remained unbeaten on 21 off 16 balls, South Africa couldn't recover and finished their 20 overs at 116/6. This result gives India two consecutive warm-up victories heading into the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup, while South Africa suffers two straight losses.