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LAHORE: Left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu’s six-wicket haul, followed by a composed half-century from Sidra Amin, sealed a consolatory win for Pakistan women against South Africa women in the final ODI of the three-match series here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Monday.
Despite a dominant win, South Africa clinched the series 2-1 ahead of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, set to begin at the end of this month.
Pakistan chased down the 116-run target on the loss of four wickets with 114 balls remaining. The girls in Green cruised to victory without any major hiccups, with Sidra Amin continuing her rich vein of form.
After losing the opener Omaima Sohail for a nought in the second over, Sidra Amin and Muneeba Ali paired up for a 65-run stand, which steadied Pakistan in the chase.
The stand culminated in the 22nd over as Muneeba departed for a well-made 44 from 76 balls, laced with six boundaries. South Africa struck again on the third ball of the over, removing skipper Fatima Sana for a duck, which reduced Pakistan to 66-3.
Yet, Sidra held firm and kept the score ticking alongside Natalia Pervaiz, who made 14 from 10 balls.
The home side eventually got to target with Sidra Amin hitting the winning runs with a boundary. Sidra top-scored with 50* off 94 deliveries, studded with eight fours, whereas Eyman Fatima remained not out on three.
For South Africa, Nonkululeko Mlaba and Nadine de Klerk picked up two wickets each.
Earlier, after opting to bat first, South Africa could not capitalize on the decision and were bundled out for 115 in just 25.5 overs.
The openers started firmly with a 38-run partnership. However, Diana Baig removed the skipper, Laura Wolvaardt, who top-scored with 28 off 23 balls.
Sune Luus and Karabo Meso were also sent back in successive overs, which reduced South Africa to 59-3 in 9.1 overs. The visitors were in further dire straits once Nashra Sandhu came in to bowl.
The 27-year-old tore through South Africa’s middle-order with outstanding bowling and took a fifer in no time. Due to her spell, South Africa were reeling on 94-8 at the end of the 21st over.
With a dominant display from Pakistan, it was only a matter of time before the Proteas were bowled out, with Syed Aroob Shah removing the last two batters.
Nashra Sandhu remained the standout bowler, picking up six wickets for 26 runs in nine overs.
Playing XIs:
Pakistan Women: Fatima Sana (c), Muneeba Ali (wk), Eyman Fatima, Sidra Amin, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Pervaiz, Syed Aroob Shah, Rameen Shamim, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal.
South Africa Women: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Karabo Meso, Sune Luus, Miane Smit, Anneke Bosch, Miane Smit, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Nonkululeko Mlaba
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