South Africa Women and Pakistan Women produced a high-scoring, dramatic contest in the second ODI at Centurion, with momentum swinging across both innings before the home side eventually held their nerve in a thrilling finish. The match unfolded as a classic ODI narrative, early caution, middle-overs consolidation, and a late surge that forced the chasing side to push deep into the final overs.
Batting first, South Africa Women began steadily through their captain Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits. Their opening partnership laid a stable base before Wolvaardt fell for 20, caught off Sadia Iqbal at 55 in the ninth over. Brits, however, shifted gears, striking boundaries fluently on her way to 77 from 62 balls, sharing a crucial stand with Faye Tunnicliffe. Pakistan’s spinners then pulled things back briefly as Syeda Aroob Shah removed Tunnicliffe and trapped Sune Luus for 57, reducing the hosts to 220/4 in the 38th over.
The game’s defining phase came through a counterattacking partnership between Annerie Dercksen and Chloe Tryon. Dercksen played the innings of authority, hammering 90 off 68 balls, while Tryon’s 37 from 23 balls injected momentum. Their late assault ensured South Africa surged past the 300-mark. Contributions from Nadine de Klerk (49 off 26) ensured a powerful finish as Pakistan’s bowlers struggled to contain the final overs, posting a dominant 361/8. Among the visitors, Fatima Sana and Sadia Iqbal claimed two wickets each, while Syeda Aroob Shah impressed with her control, returning 2 for 49.
Chasing a steep target, Pakistan Women lost Muneeba Ali early, but Sidra Amin and Sadaf Shamas attempted to stabilize. Sidra fell for 9, yet Shamas anchored the innings with a composed 61 from 62 balls. The chase gathered real momentum through a superb partnership between Shamas and Ayesha Zafar, who top-scored with 75 from 68 balls. Their stand carried Pakistan past the halfway mark and firmly into contention.
Natalia Pervaiz added 27, but the match truly tilted during the middle-to-late overs when captain Fatima Sana counterattacked with a sparkling 52 from just 36 balls. She found strong support from Syeda Aroob Shah (40) and later Diana Baig, who’s unbeaten 38 from 25 kept Pakistan alive deep into the chase. Despite these efforts, the required rate climbed in the final overs as South Africa’s bowlers held their composure.
The home attack shared the responsibility effectively. Annerie Dercksen led the charge with 3 wickets, Nadine de Klerk chipped in with two, while Nonkululeko Mlaba and Shangase also struck twice each. Their timely breakthroughs, especially in the final five overs, prevented Pakistan from completing what would have been a record chase.
Ultimately, Pakistan were bowled out for 345 in 49.5 overs, falling just 16 runs short in what turned into one of the most entertaining high-scoring women’s ODI. The match showcased explosive batting depth from both sides, decisive middle-order partnerships, and disciplined death bowling under pressure.
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