On the 3rd and the final day of the warm-up fixtures, ahead of the 13th edition of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, Pakistan, led by skipper Fatima Sana, were up against South Africa, led by skipper Laura Wolvaardt, in Colombo. They also recently squared off against each other in a three-match ODI series (2-1), which the Proteas clinched comprehensively on Pakistani soil. Earlier in the day, England defeated Australia by 4 wickets, as the arch-rivals fine-tuned their preparations.
Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana won the toss and opted to bat first. Their openers, Muneeba Ali and Omaima Sohail, gave them a cautious start before Pakistan lost both of them inside the power play. Sidra Nawaz joined Sidra Amin at the crease, and the duo led a crucial recovery with a much-needed 73-run partnership for the 3rd wicket, which also took them past the 100-run mark.
South Africa struck twice to remove a well-set Sidra Nawaz (35 off 37 balls) and Natalia Pervaiz in quick succession, to bring them back into the contest. Skipper Fatima Sana joined Aliya Riaz at the crease, and the duo stitched another crucial 65-run partnership for the 5th wicket, to take their side closer to the 200-run mark. Tumi Sekhukhune returned and broke the stand, by sending Aliya Riaz (23 off 37 balls) back to the pavilion to provide the 5th breakthrough for her side.
A dramatic collapse followed, which saw them getting bundled out for 229, with four overs to spare. They lost their last five wickets for just 40 runs. Skipper Fatima Sana (64 off 75 balls) top-scored and was impressive with the bat for her side. Masabata Klaas (5-0-26-2), Ayabonga Khaka (5-0-40-2), Chloe Tryon (5-0-13-1), Nadine de Klerk (5-1-16-1), and Tumi Sekhukhune (5-1-23-1) were impressive with the ball for South Africa.
Chasing a tricky total of 230, the three in-form Proteas top-order batters, skipper Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp, departed cheaply, leaving them in trouble at 27/3 in the 6th over of the run chase. Anneke Bosch (58 off 59 balls) joined Sune Luus (54 off 68 balls) at the crease, and the pair bailed their side out of trouble with a much-needed 118-run partnership for the 4th wicket. The pair completed their respective half-centuries before deciding to retire hurt.
The youngster Karabo Meso failed to make an impression as she was cleaned up by Syeda Aroob Shah for a three-ball duck in the 27th over of the run chase to provide the 4th breakthrough for Pakistan. The capable Proteas batters Annerie Dercksen (10 off 10 balls), Nadine de Klerk (22 off 22 balls), Chloe Tryon (45* off 39 balls) and Nondumiso Shangase (10* off 17 balls) showed remarkable composure when the Pakistani bowlers were tightening the screws.
As a result, the Laura Wolvaardt-led side got over the line with 4 wickets in hand and 59 balls to spare. Diana Baig (6-1-32-2), Sadia Iqbal (9-0-44-1), skipper Fatima Sana (6-0-30-1), Omaima Sohail (6-0-35-1), and Rameen Shamim (7.1-1-42-0) were impressive with the ball for Pakistan.
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