South Africa, captained by Laura Wolvaardt, is hosting Pakistan for a thrilling white-ball series, three T20Is (already wrapped up 2-1 in the hosts’ favour), followed by three ODIs from February 10 to March 1, 2026.
Pakistan, led by the dynamic Fatima Sana, now shifts to the longer format, desperate for a turnaround. In the opener at Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein, starting 1:30 PM IST on February 22, eyes will lock on three standout performers: skipper Fatima Sana, explosive batter Ayesha Zafar, and crafty spinner Sadia Iqbal. These players could spark Pakistan’s fightback with their recent form and proven ODI pedigree.
Fatima Sana
Fatima Sana emerged as Pakistan’s lone warrior in the T20I series, dominating batting charts with 146 runs at a strike rate of 184.81 and an average of 73 across three innings, including a half-century. She also picked up a couple of wickets with the ball in the series. Her leadership and firepower make her indispensable in ODIs too. Overall, she boasts 632 runs at a strike rate of 72.89 and an average of 16.20 in 46 innings (56 matches), with three half-centuries. Against South Africa specifically, she has notched 127 runs at a strike rate of 74.70 and an average of 14.11 in 10 innings (11 matches), including a half-century.
With the ball, Sana’s a menace, 73 wickets at an average of 28.58 and economy of 5.42 in 53 innings (56 matches), featuring four four-wicket hauls and a five-wicket haul. Against South Africa, she has snared 7 wickets at an economy of 6.29 in 11 innings (11 matches). Expect her to anchor Pakistan’s middle order and strike key blows with seam movement on Bloemfontein’s pitches, particularly in the powerplay.
Ayesha Zafar
At 31, Ayesha Zafar silenced doubters in Pakistan’s ODI warm-up against South Africa Emerging Women on February 19 at Diamond Oval, Kimberley. Batting at No. 3, she blazed 95 off 68 balls (12 fours, 3 sixes), powering her side to 307 before a heartbreaking 1-wicket loss. This knock signals her intent for the series ahead.
In ODIs overall, Zafar has 502 runs at a strike rate of 56.34 and an average of 16.73 in 31 innings (32 matches), including three half-centuries. Her aggressive strokeplay could exploit South Africa’s occasional spin vulnerabilities, turning the Mangaung Oval into her personal stage for a match-defining knock.
Sadia Iqbal
Sadia Iqbal was the joint-top wicket-taker in the T20I series with 5 scalps at an average of 12.60 and an economy of 5.81 across three innings (three matches). Her left-arm spin remains Pakistan’s X-factor in ODIs. Overall, she has claimed 44 wickets at an average of 25.22 and an economy of 3.86 in 34 innings (36 matches), with a four-wicket haul.
Against South Africa, Iqbal has 9 wickets at an average of 33.11 and an economy of 4.56 in seven innings (seven matches). On Bloemfontein’s grippy surfaces, her variations could dismantle the South African middle-order especially alongside Sana’s seam threat, giving Pakistan crucial breakthroughs.
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