South Africa secured the ODI series with a 2-1 win, even though Pakistan clinched the final match by eight wickets. Opting to bat first, Protea captain Laura Wolvaardt’s decision left South Africa chasing 186 for victory at Karachi’s National Stadium. Pakistan achieved this target comfortably with 72 balls to spare. Sidra Ameen and Sadaf Shamas provided a strong start to Pakistan’s innings, showing no concern for the run-rate. Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka initially kept things tight with the ball, while Nadine de Klerk struggled, conceding 16 runs in her first over and requiring medical assistance after a slip. Khaka eventually broke through in the 10th over, dismissing Sadaf for 13 (34b, 1×4) with a comfortable catch taken by De Klerk.
From then on, it was a one-sided affair as Sidra and Bismah Maroof effortlessly accumulated runs. The South African bowlers struggled to make an impact. Pakistan reached the 100-run mark in the 23rd over, with Sidra at 47 and Bismah at 22. Their 100-run partnership for the second wicket came in the 32nd over, with Sidra contributing 43 and Bismah 45. De Klerk finally dismissed Sidra for 68 (82b, 6×4) with the score at 149.
Aliya Riaz joined Bismah, with Pakistan needing only 37 runs from 102 balls for victory. In the end, Bismah remained unbeaten on 60 (98b, 5×4), and Aliya scored 19 (14b, 4×4).
In the early stages of South Africa’s innings, they faced a setback as Wolvaardt was bowled for a duck by Sadia Iqbal in the first over. Tasmin Brits and Lara Goodall took the score to 35 for one before Goodall had to retire hurt in the eighth over after being struck by a shot from Brits.
In the 12th over, the third umpire came into play as Brits struck a ball back to Diana Baig, leading to a query about whether it was a bump ball. The decision favored the home team, and the South African batter departed for 32 (31b, 6×4), with the Proteas at 52 for two.
Sune Luus and Kapp’s partnership couldn’t sustain its winning form as Luus was caught by Riaz off Pakistan captain Nida Dar’s bowling for 10 (24b, 1×4). South Africa stood at 63 for three.
Goodall returned after earlier treatment but was swiftly caught by Nida off Nashra Sandhu’s bowling for 13 (29b, 1×4), leaving South Africa teetering at 64 for four.
De Klerk and Kapp combined for a 36-run partnership for the fifth wicket, propelling the score to 100 in the 28th over. Kapp was caught by Nashra off Sadia’s bowling for 21 (41b, 1×4).
Nashra claimed another wicket when Delmi Tucker was stumped by wicketkeeper Muneeba Ali for 25 (28b, 4×4) at 137 in the 37th over.
South Africa stumbled to 145 for seven in the 39th over after a mix-up led to Sinalo Jafta’s run-out for 6 (7b, 1×4). On the very next ball, debutant Waheeda Akhtar secured her first ODI wicket by bowling Nondumiso Shangase for a duck.
Nida dismissed Ayabonga Khaka lbw for eight at a score of 160. De Klerk reached her maiden ODI 50 (87b, 3×4) in the 46th over at 174 for nine. She was eventually the last wicket to fall (60, 95b, 3×4) when Aliya took a catch off Diana’s bowling, while Masabata Klaas remained not out on five.
