The hosts Pakistan managed to whitewash the Proteas 3-0 in the shortest format of the game while being defeated 1-2 in the 50 overs format. There were lots of positives for both teams throughout the series, but overall Pakistan had a larger share of it.
Pakistan clean sweeps T20I series 3-0 against South Africa
The first match of the series was T20I, in a closely contested match, the hosts managed to secure the victory on the last ball of the match. Forced to bat first, the visitors managed to post a decent total of 150 on board, thanks to a stellar knock by Proteas opener Tazmin Brits. Brits managed to score 78 runs off 64 balls before being eventually dismissed by Fatima Sana. In reply, the hosts lost their first wicket in the 4th over in the form of youngster Shawaal Zulfiqar who was dismissed by veteran Marizanne Kapp. Sidra Ameen’s and Bismah Maroof’s 30+ scores helped Pakistan to steady the ship.
Aliya Riaz and Muneeba Ali’s partnership almost took over the hosts across the line, before the latter was adjudged run-out on the last ball of the 19th over. The hosts needed 8 runs off the final over, with Aliya Riaz still being at the crease. Aliya Riaz and Fatima Sana batted smartly, not taking many risks, taking the all-important singles and doubles. With just 1 run required on the last ball, Aliya Riaz managed to hit the winning run and win the match for her team. Despite being on the losing side, Tazmin Brits was given the Player of the Match award for her knock.
In the second match of the series, the visitors were once again forced to bat first. All of South Africa’s top 4, Tazmin Brits (46), Laura Wolvaardt (41), Marizanne Kapp (26), and Nadine de Klerk (21) managed to score 20+ runs to power the visitors to a score of 150. Once again Pakistan lost their opener, Shawaal Zulfiqar quite early. Sidra Ameen’s and Bismah Maroof’s partnership once again steadied the ship for Pakistan, before Muneeba Ali and Aliya Riaz finished the match for the hosts. Sidra Ameen was adjudged the player of the match thanks to her fantastic knock of 61 off 44.
In the next match, the hosts managed to pull off something that the visitors couldn’t in the first match, yes, that is defend the total. This time being forced to bat, the hosts managed to score 150 thanks to 30+ scores of Pakistani trio, Sidra Ameen (39), Bismah Maroof(39), and captain Nida Dar (36). In reply, interim captain Laura Wolvaardt, who is just into the third match of her captaincy, scored a fantastic 72 off 54 balls, it almost looked certain that Laura would take her team home, but unfortunately for the visitors, that wasn’t the case. Laura was dismissed by Sadia in the 19th over. The Proteas needed 13 runs off the final over, with the dangerous batter Nadine de Klerk still at the crease. Unfortunately for the Proteas, Nadine was not quite having the everyone would expect, with her not able to score a boundary. Experienced bowler, Diana Baig managed to defend the total to hand the hosts a third consecutive win and also whitewash the T20I series. For the second time in the series, a Proteas opener was adjudged as the Player of the Match despite being on the receiving end.
Laura Wolvaardt was adjudged the player of the series as she scored a total of 157 runs at an impressive average of 52.33. She was also the top scorer of the series. Tazmin Brits was the second-highest scorer. On the other hand, Nashra Sandhu and Sadia Iqbal were the first and second-highest wicket-takers in the series respectively.
Pakistan achieves a historic milestone!
They clean sweep South Africa in the T20I series for the very first time 🔥#CricketTwitter #PAKvSA pic.twitter.com/HRnyMR3Gv4
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) September 5, 2023
South Africa claims 2-1 victory in the ODI series
The proteas side got the first taste of victory in the opening match of the ODI series, as they defeated the hosts quite comprehensively. After opting to bat first, the Proteas managed to score 292 at the end of 50 overs, thanks to twin centuries by the experienced Proteas duo of Sune Luus (107*) and Marizanne Kapp (100). The duo shared an excellent partnership of 183 from 207 balls. In reply, the hosts lost wickets at regular intervals before being eventually bowled out for 165. Nonkululeko Mlaba and Nadine de Klerk both picked 3 wickets apiece to put further misery on the hosts. The hosts lost by a margin of a whopping 127 runs.
In the second ODI, the hosts once again got bowled out in 160’s (168). Fatima Sana and Aliya Riaz did offer some resistance but it wasn’t enough to post a decent total on the board. Extras was Pakistan’s joint third-highest run-scorer in the innings. On the other hand, South Africa had a perfect start with each and every batter who batted scoring more than 10 runs, it was more of a team effort for the visitors, as the whole of the top-6 contributed really well. The visitors chased the total in just 34 overs. Nadine de Klerk won the Player of the Match award for her 24* off 30 and 4/32. This win helped the Proteas seal the 50 overs series.
The revenge of being whitewashed was still on the cards for the visitors as they had to win the final ODI to inflict a whitewash of their own in the 50 overs format. But it didn’t quite pan out as the visitors had expected. After electing to bat, the Proteas got off to a disappointing start as they lost their captain on the 4th ball of the match. The visitors kept on losing wickets at regular intervals before Nadine de Klerk rescued South Africa’s innings in innings. Thanks to de Klerk’s innings, the Proteas managed to somehow post a total of 185. On the other hand, Pakistan’s Bismah Maroof and Sidra Ameen shared a 110-run partnership to help Pakistan win the dead rubber. Sidra Ameen (68) and Bismah Maroof (60) both scored 50 runs. The hosts chased the total in 38 overs to win the last and the final match. Sidra Ameen was adjudged as the player of the match thanks to her fabulous knock.
Nadine de Klerk won the Player of the Series award thanks to her all-round contributions in the series. Nadine scored a total of 113 runs and picked 8 wickets in the series. Marizanne Kapp was the top scorer in the series as she accumulated a total of 150 runs at an average of 75. Nadine de Klerk was the top wicket-taker in the series.
The biggest positive for the hosts was the performance of Aliya Riaz and Sidra Ameen. Sidra Ameen scored a total of 232 runs across formats, while Aliya Riaz amassed a total of 182 runs across both series.
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