Courtesy some exceptional bowling performance in the middle and final overs of play, South Africa clinched a 6-run win against Pakistan in the on-going ICC Women’s World Cup 2022 fixture in Mount Maunganui.
Chasing 224, Pakistan lost a couple of early wickets and were 26/2 when Nahida Khan and Omaima Sohail joined hands to provide the resistance to the side. The two batters chipped in with a partnership of 69 runs for the second wicket before Nahida was eventually trapped in front of the stumps by Ayabonga Khaka for 40 off 71.
Omaima was then joined by Nida Dar and they began the rescue operation for the team. Both the batters looked pretty steady at one stage. But South Africa broke the shackles at the end of the 38th over when Omaima played one in the air and was caught by Lee off Masabata Klaas for 65 off 104.
The Asian side began to lose wickets at regular intervals and were reduced to 213/8 in the 49th over before eventually getting bundled out for 217. Needing 10 off the final over, Pakistan could only manage to get three from the over.
Shabnim Ismail picked up three wickets for 41 in 9.5 overs while Kapp and Khaka had two wickets each.
Earlier, in the day, Pakistan unveiled a good performance in the field as they took some good catches to restrict South Africa to 223/9 in 50 overs. Pakistan picked up two early wickets but Wolvaardt and Luus steadied the ship for the side with a partnership of 89 runs for the third wicket.
But Wolvaardt’s departure was then followed by a few wickets reducing the side to 120/5 in 32 overs. It was Luus’ 62 off 102 balls and some valuable contributions from Tryon and Chetty that helped South Africa put some score on the board.
Fatima Sana and Fatima bagged three wickets apiece for their side.
“You got to love the World Cup game, no game is easy. We can take the positives out of the two wins and try and see what we need to work on going ahead. We take it one game at a time and want to play our best cricket,” Luus said after the match.