MULTAN: Pakistan defeated South Africa by 13 runs in the second T20I at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, levelling the three-match series 1-1.

Nida Dar became the third Pakistani woman to reach 2,000 T20I runs, while captain Fatima Sana`s unbeaten 37 guided Pakistan to their highest T20I score of 181/4.

South Africa, who won the first T20I by 10 runs, were restricted to 168/4 despite a valiant unbroken 80-run partnership between Sune Luus (53 not out) and Chloe Tryon (30 not out).

Pakistan`s opening pair, Gull Feroza and Muneeba Ali, set the tone with a 25-run stand in 3.2 overs before Gull fell for 10.

Player-of-the-match Muneeba`s aggressive 45, laced with six fours and two sixes, and Sidra`s 28, including three fours and a six, propelled Pakistan to 74/2 in 10.2 overs.

Nida`s 29, featuring four boundaries, and Fatima`s unbeaten 37, which included three fours and two sixes, fueled Pakistan`s late surge. Aliya Riaz chipped in with 17 not out, smashing two fours and a six.

Tumi Sekhukhune (2/30) was South Africa`s most successful bowler.

In response, South Africa lost Tazmin Brits (nine) early. Captain Laura Wolvaardt`s 36, adorned with five fours and a six, kept the visitors in contention before her departure in the ninth over.

Anneke Bosch (24), with two fours and a six, and Nadine de Klerk (12), with two fours, fell soon after, leaving South Africa 88/4 in 13 overs.

Luus and Tryon`s fifthwicket partnership narrowed the gap, with Luus striking six fours and a six and Tryon smashing five fours.

Nashra Sundhu and Sadia Iqbal claimed two wickets each for Pakistan.

`In the last match our performance was not up to the mark,` Muneeba said after the match. `The openers and top order batters did not fulfil what was required from them.

`We had really honest conversations and we decided that we needed to step up.

`That`s the way we want to approach every game and we will try to play like this in the future as well,` the batter said pointing towards the aggressive approach.

Meanwhile, South AfricancaptainWolvaardt said her team leaked extra runs, which became the difference between the two sides at the end.

`There were a couple of lose deliveries and we conceded way too many extras as well, which didn`t help us.

The series decider will be played on Friday.

Scores in brief: PAKISTAN 181 for four 4 in 20 overs (Muneeba Ali 45, Fatima Sana 37 not out; Tumi Sekhukhune 2-30); South Africa 168 for four in 20 overs (S. Luus 53 not out, L. Wolvaardt 36; Nashra Sundhu 2-20, Sadia Iqbal 2-27).

-Agencies