South Africa women beat Pakistan women by 37 runs in the 41 overs-a-side rain-shortened first ODI here at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein on Sunday night. The hosts posted 260-6 in 41 overs with the help of Sune Luus’ 93 not out and in turn, Pakistan managed 223 all out in 38.5 overs.
After losing the opening batters early in pursuit of the total, Sidra Amin and Ayesha Zafar stitched a record 126-run partnership for the third wicket for Pakistan in ODIs. The stand eclipsed Sadaf Shamas and Bismah Maroof’s 124-run effort against Ireland in November 2022.
Sidra bagged her 14th ODI half-century, third against South Africa, contributing 68 off 69 balls, featuring nine fours. On the other hand, Ayesha struck a 94-ball 81; her fourth ODI half-century laced with seven fours.
Aliya Riaz, coming in to bat at no.7, scored a quick-fire 32 off 26 balls, hitting six fours, but in vain as Pakistan managed to score 223 all out in 38.5 overs, falling 37 runs short. Player of the match Luus eked out vital scalps of Sidra and Fatima Sana.
Tumi Sekhukhune bagged three for 50, while Nadine de Klerk picked up two wickets.
After putting South Africa in to bat, Diana Baig struck in the fifth over, removing Tazmin Brits (10, 16b, 1×4) as the scoreboard read 19-1.
After a 47-run second-wicket stand between Laura Wolvaardt (43, 50b, 5x4s) and Lara Goodall (13, 22b, 1×4), left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal struck to remove the latter in 12th over.
Nashra Sundhu then bagged skipper Wolvaardt’s prized scalp on the final delivery of the 17th over, leaving the Proteas on 84-3.
Top-scorer Luus and Annerie Dercksen (31, 49b, 3x4s, 1×6) knitted a 80-run partnership for the fourth wicket to lay down the foundation for a formidable total. Pakistan picked up three wickets in three overs after South Africa were 164-3.
Syed Aroob Shah accounted for Dercksen in 30th, Nashra removed Chloe Tryon for a duck in 31st and Ayesha got Nadine de Klerk for one in 32nd to leave South Africa 170-6.
At this juncture an unbeaten 90-run partnership for seventh wicket between Luus (93 not out, 8x4s, 1×6) and wicketkeeper-batter Sinalo Jafta (57 not out, 38b, 8x4s) took South Africa to 260-6.
Nashra returned figures of 9-0-45-2.
Scores in brief:
South Africa women beat Pakistan women by 37 runs at Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein
41 overs per side
South Africa 260-6, 41 overs (Sune Luus 93 not out, Sinalo Jafta 57 not out, Laura Wolvaardt 43, Annerie Dercksen 31; Nashra Sundhu 2-45)
Pakistan 223 all out, 38.5 overs, (Ayesha Zafar 81, Sidra Amin 68, Aliya Riaz 32; Tumi Sekhukhune 3-50, Sune Luus 2-31, Nadine de Klerk 2-36)
Player of the match: Sune Luus (South Africa)
Pakistan Women’s tour of South Africa ODI series schedule: (22 February to 1 March)
1st ODI – South Africa beat Pakistan by 37 runs
2nd ODI – 25 February – SuperSport Park, Centurion (day/night) at 4pm PKT
3rd ODI – 1 March – Kingsmead, Durban (day) at 1pm PKT
