KARACHI: Sidra Ameen and Bismah Maroof scored brilliant half-centuries after a combined bowling effort propelled Pakistan to thump South Africa by eight wickets in the third PAKW vs SAW ODI to avoid the series sweep.
Set to chase a modest 186, Pakistan comfortably completed the run chase for the loss of just two wickets and 72 balls to spare, courtesy of a brilliant partnership between Sidra Ameen and Bismah Maroof.
The hosts, however, had a contrasting start to their innings as they lost young opener Sadaf Shamas (13) in the 10th over with 39 runs on the board.
Following the early blow, Sidra Ameen was joined by experienced Bismah at the crease and the pair anchored the run chase with a match-winning partnership.
Bismah and Sidra added 110 runs for the second wicket with both scoring half-centuries.
The pair dominated the South African bowlers before Sidra faltered against Nadine de Klerk in the 33rd over when Pakistan still needed 27 runs.
Sidra Ameen top-scored for Pakistan in the third PAKW vs SAW ODI with an 82-ball 68 which featured six boundaries.
Bismah, on the other hand, stood her ground firm and with a helping hand from Aliya Riaz (19*) steered Pakistan to a dominating victory.
Bismah remained unbeaten on 60 off 98 deliveries, hitting five boundaries.
For South Africa Women, Ayabonga Khaka and de Klerk could pick up a wicket apiece.
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South African captain Laura Wolvaardt’s decision to bat first backfired as she was undone by Sadia Iqbal’s off-spinner on the fourth ball of the innings.
Fellow opener Tazmin Brits soon followed her captain back to the pavilion after a brief innings of 32 off 31.
Pakistani spin bowlers kept things tight and reduced South Africa to 64-4 in 17 overs before Marizanne Kapp and Nadine de Klerk stitched a conscious 36-run partnership to help South Africa reach the 100-run mark.
However, Sadia Iqbal broke the stand with her second wicket of the innings as Kapp walked back to the pavilion after scoring 21 runs off 41 balls with the help of one boundary.
Delmi Tucker then played a brief cameo 28 off 25 before being out-stumped at a total of 137.
Meanwhile, Nadine de Klerk tackled Pakistani bowlers bravely and scored her maiden ODI half-century amid falling wickets on the other end to drag the team’s total to 185 in the final PAKW vs SAW ODI.
She played a conscious innings of 60 off 95, featuring three boundaries, which ended courtesy of a runout, hence ending South Africa’s innings in the third PAKW vs SAW ODI.
Pakistan’s Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar and Sadia Iqbal contributed with two wickets each, while, Diana Baig, Aliya Riaz and debutant Waheeda Akhtar managed one wicket.
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