LAHORE, Pakistan: Left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu starred with a career-best six-wicket haul, while Sidra Amin anchored the chase with an unbeaten half-century, as Pakistan women secured a convincing six-wicket victory over South Africa women in the third ODI of the three-match series at the Gaddafi Stadium on Monday.
Chasing a modest target of 116 runs, Pakistan reached the total comfortably with four wickets down and 114 balls to spare, ending the series on a high note after South Africa had already clinched the series with wins in the first two matches.
Sidra Amin, continuing her fine form with the bat, scored a composed 50 not out, building on her two consecutive centuries earlier in the series.
Opening batter Muneeba Ali also made an important contribution with 44 runs off 76 balls, the duo sharing a crucial 65-run partnership for the second wicket that steadied the innings.
For South Africa, Nonkululeko Mlaba and Nadine de Klerk took two wickets apiece, but their efforts weren’t enough to derail the disciplined Pakistan chase.
Earlier, South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt’s decision to bat first backfired as her team was bowled out for a modest 115 runs in 25.5 overs.
The Proteas had a steady start at 59/2 after nine overs, but a breakthrough from Omaima Sohail, who dismissed opener Karabo Meso (12 off 10 balls), sparked a dramatic collapse.
Sandhu wreaked havoc on the middle order, dismantling the lineup with her tight spin bowling, while Syeda Aroob Shah cleaned up the tail. South Africa lost their final seven wickets for just 46 runs in 100 deliveries.
Captain Wolvaardt was South Africa’s top scorer with a brisk 28, while Masabata Klaas and Nadine de Klerk managed 13 runs each. Five batters fell cheaply, failing to reach double digits against the relentless Pakistani attack.
Sandhu was the standout bowler, finishing with figures of 6 wickets for 26 runs in 9 overs, supported by Aroob Shah’s two wickets, and one wicket each from Omaima Sohail and Diana Baig.
Despite Pakistan’s spirited fightback in the final ODI, South Africa won the series 2-1. The visitors had dominated the first two matches with commanding victories:
In the series opener, centuries from Marizanne Kapp and Tazmin Brits helped South Africa chase down Pakistan’s total of 256 with ease.
In the rain-affected second ODI, Brits scored another hundred and skipper Wolvaardt added a century, guiding South Africa to a 25-run win.
