Sadaf, Fatima star as Pakistan win third South Africa ODI

Staff Report

LAHORE: Sadaf Shamas’ 97 and Fatima Sana’s all-round performance helped Pakistan women beat South Africa women by 119 runs in the third ODI at the Kingsmead Cricket Ground in Durban, South Africa on Sunday night. This was Pakistan’s first win in the three-match ODI series – also part of ICC Women’s Championship 2025-29, after the hosts have won first ODI by 37 runs and second ODI by 16 runs. Put in to bat first, Pakistan lost opening batter Gul Feroza (13, 10b, 1×4) with 31 runs on the board. Sadaf and Sidra Amin (41, 64b, 4x4s) then stitched a 130-run partnership for the second wicket, taking the score to 161. Right-handed batter Sadaf was dismissed on the final ball of the 25th over for 97 off 82 balls, laced with 16 fours and one six, falling three runs short of her maiden ODI hundred. Sidra’s dismissal followed seven deliveries later, leaving the visitors on 164-3. Pakistan then lost two more wickets in quick succession as the scoreboard read 216-5 after 39 overs.

Skipper Fatima and Najiha Alvi (36, 46b, 1×4) then put on a 65-run partnership for the sixth wicket before the latter was dismissed in the 48th over. Fatima’s late onslaught ensured Pakistan finished on 306-8 after 50 overs. She brought up her fifth ODI half-century and remained unbeaten on 60 off 41 balls, smashing three fours and five sixes. For the Proteas, Sune Luus bagged three for 42 in nine overs while Nonkululeko Mlaba returned figures of 10-0-56-2. In turn, debutant Tasmia Rubab (3-0-19-1) provided Pakistan with the first breakthrough as she dismissed Tazmin Brits for four in her first over. Fatima continued the momentum in the match as she bagged the scalps of her counterpart Laura Wolvaardt (1, 3b) and Sune Luus for nought in space of three deliveries to reduce the hosts to 7-3 after two overs.

No.3 batter Faye Tunnicliffe (47, 51b, 7x4s) and top-scorer Annerie Dercksen (54, 67b, 3x4s, 2x6s) then knitted an 85-run alliance for the fourth wicket, before the former was out caught and bowled by Nashra Sundhu (5.2-0-25-2). Wicketkeeper-batter Sinalo Jafta (33, 34b, 3x4s, 1×6) joined Dercksen at the crease and put together 50 runs before being removed by Sadia Iqbal. Umm-e-Hani (7-1-35-2) sent Dercksen back in the hut six deliveries later to leave the hosts 147 for six after 27 overs. Sadia struck again in the 30th over to dismiss Nadine de Klerk (8, 10b, 1×4). Off-spinner Umm-e-Hani bagged her second wicket to remove last recognised batter Chloe Tryon (12, 13b, 1×6) in the 33rd over. Left-arm spinners Sadia and Nashra picked up the last two wickets to help visitors win the match by 119 runs. Sadia returned figures of 10-0-41-3 while Fatima bagged two for 29 in five overs.

Brief scores:

Pakistan beat South Africa women by 119 runs at Kingsmead Cricket Ground, Durban

Pakistan 306-8, 50 overs (Sadaf Shamas 97, Fatima Sana 60 not out, Sidra Amin 41, Najiha Alvi 36, Ayesha Zafar 24; Sune Luus 3-42, Nonkululeko Mlaba 2-56) vs South Africa 187 all out, 36.2 overs (Annerie Dercksen 54, Faye Tunnicliffe 47, Sinalo Jafta 33, Sadia Iqbal 3-41, Nashra Sundhu 2-25, Fatima Sana 2-29, Umm-e-Hani 2-35).

Player of the match: Sadaf Shamas (Pakistan)

Player of the series: Sune Luus (South Africa)

Pakistan Women’s tour of South Africa ODI series results: (22 February to 1 March)

1st ODI – South Africa beat Pakistan by 37 runs

2nd ODI – South Africa beat Pakistan by 16 runs

3rd ODI – 1 March – Pakistan beat South Africa by 119 runs.