Home
Pakistan's struggles have continued across men’s and women’s cricket. The men's team is on the brink of elimination from T20 World Cup 2026, the young men's team were whitewashed by England whereas the women's team have been putting up a spirited display in South Africa but still facing a defeat. On February 25 in Centurion, Fatima Sana-led Pakistan women's team kept the hosts nervous in a high-scoring affair. They posted 345 but fell short of the 362-run target. Laura Wolvaardt-led South Africa took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series while Pakistan suffered their fifth consecutive ODI defeat.
Several fiery knocks take South Africa to mammoth total
South Africa were put to bat first by Fatima. Wolvaardt was dismissed cheaply by Sadia Iqbal. Faye Tunnicliffe lost her wicket for a single-digit score. Tazmin Brits kept firing from the other end. She got stumped for 62-ball 77 Sune Luus and Annie Dercksen shared a 102-run partnership for the second wicket. The partnership was broken by Syeda Aroob Shah in the 38th over. Sune departed fora 67-ball 57. Wicketkeeper-batter Sinalo Jafta couldn't keep up with the tempo and got bowled by Sadia. Annerie continued to charge, cashing on the start she got. She hit four sixes and six fours in her 68-ball 90. She missed her ton, falling to Fatima.
In the slog overs, Chloe Tryon and Nadine de Klerk did the heavy lifting. Chloe contributed with 23-ball 37 before getting knocked over by Fatima in the 47th over. As many as 45 runs were scored in the last three overs. Nadine hit seven fours and a six in her 26-ball 49. She got out off the last ball of the innings, missing her half-century. South Africa managed to post 361/8 on the board. This is South Africa’s second-highest total in ODIs.
Diana Baig was the most expensive of the lot. She conceded 82 runs from her quota from 82 overs. She was closely followed by Nashra who went for 79 runs in nine overs.
Pakistan’s record score not enough
In the run chase, Pakistan lost two early wickets. After a 90-run knock, Annerie claimed wickets of Muneeba Ali and Sidra Ameen for single-digit scores. Sadaf Shamas and Ayesha Zafar got the run chase back on track with a 97-run partnership. Sune broke the partnership with Sadaf's wicket. The opener scored 61 runs from 62 balls, including nine boundaries. Ayesha was keeping the required run rate in check but Nondumiso Shagase ended her stay at the crease. Ayesha hit eight fours in her 68-ball 75. Nondumiso followed it up with Aliya Riaz's wicket. Pakistan were 197/5 after 30 overs.
The visitors needed 165 runs from 20 overs with five wickets in hand. Natalia Pervaiz fell to Annerie in the next over for 32-ball 27. Skipper Fatima took charge of the run chase alongside Syeda. But, she got out after completing her half-century. She scored 52 runs from 36 balls, including six fours and a six. Syeda (44-ball 40) and Diana's (25-ball 38) cameos ended in the 47th over. Pakistan were bowled out for 345 in 49.5 overs, losing the match by 16 runs. However, they posted the second-highest total while chasing in the history of women’s ODIs.
ADVERTISEMENT
