Mount Maunganui, 11 March 2022: Pakistan up a courage and gallant display but fell short by six runs in their ICC Women’s World Cup 2022 fixture against South Africa here at Mount Maunganui on Friday.
Chasing 224 for victory and after slipping to 26 for two inside seven overs, Pakistan stormed back strongly before they were bowled out for 217 in 49.5 overs after they had required 22 runs off the last 12 balls and 10 runs off the final over.
Although Pakistan ended up on the losing side for the third successive time, they clearly displayed they have the ability and talent to give any team a run for their money. Friday’s performance in a losing cause also showed the side is slowly picking up the momentum after they had lost to India by 107 runs on 6 March and two days later, to Australia by seven wickets.
After Fatima Sana took three for 43 and Ghulam Fatima bagged three for 52 to restrict South Africa to 223 for nine, Omaima Sohail and Nida Dar struck impressive half-centuries while opener Nahida Khan scored a well-constructed 40 off 71 balls with five fours.
Omaima scored 65 from 104 balls with seven fours and Nida Dar, who was the eighth batter out, hit two fours and a six in a 72-ball 55. The two batters added 49 runs for the fourth wicket after Omaima and Nahida had switched a 69-run third wicket stand after Sidra Amin (12) and Bismah Maroof (0) had fallen to Shabnim Ismail off successive balls.
Shabnim finished with impressive figures of 9.5-1-41-3. She supported these figures with an outstanding caught of Diana Baig off her own bowling to win the player of the match award.
Earlier, South Africa were restricted to 223 for nine as the two Fatimas – pacer Sana and leg-spinner Ghulam – equally shared six wickets between them after Bismah Maroof had elected to field after winning the toss.
Fatima Sana made inroads in the third over as she removed experienced opener Lizelle Lee with a beautiful length delivery that swung into the batter before seaming away and clipping the leading edge of her bat for wicketkeeper to pouch it.
Sidra Nawaz’s remarkable glovework was on display five overs later, once again, as she dived to her right to take a catch off Tazmin Brits’ leading edge off Diana Baig.
Opener Laura Wolvaardt and South Africa captain Sune Luus staged a recovery with an 89-run partnership.
Laura made 75 off 91 (10 fours) before she was caught and bowled by Ghulam Fatima, who was making her international comeback after five years. The leg-spinner would strike again three balls later as Mignon du Preez played a lofted cut into Omaima Sohail’s hands at backward point with South Africa slipping to 110 for two to 110 for four.
Ten runs later, Ghulam Fatima sent Marizanne Kapp, the experienced South Africa all-rounder, back to the pavilion.
Luus – who also scored a half-century, scoring 62 off 102 (two fours and a six) – partnered with Chloe Tyron (31 off 38) and wicketkeeper Trisha Chetty (31 off 26) to add crucial runs below the order. She survived two LBW shouts, but was eventually trapped in front by pacer Fatima, who also bowled Chetty on the last ball of the innings.
Fatima Sana finished with three wickets for 43 runs in her 10 overs, which also included a maiden and Ghulam Fatima picked three for 52 in nine.
Along with Diana, left-arm orthodox Nashra Sandhu also picked up a wicket.
Scores in brief:
South Africa 223-9, 50 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 75, Sune Luus 62, Trisha Chetty 31, Chloe Tryon 31; Fatima Sana 3-43, Ghulam Fatima 3-52)
Pakistan 217 all out, 49.5 overs (Omaima Sohail 65, Nida Dar 55, Nahida Khan 40; Shabnim Ismail 3-41, Marizanne Kapp 2-43, Ayabonga Khaka 2-43)
Pakistan’s Next match – v Bangladesh, Hamilton, 14 March
