(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
South Africa pulled off a thrilling eight-wicket win over Pakistan in the first women’s ODI in Lahore, thanks to a stunning batting show from Marizanne Kapp and Tazmin Brits. The duo’s unbeaten 216-run partnership for the third wicket chased down Pakistan’s 256 with ease, marking the third-highest stand by a South African pair in women’s ODIs.
Kapp smashed an unbeaten 121, while Brits remained not out on 101, rescuing South Africa from a shaky 43/2 in the 10th over. Their masterclass overshadowed Pakistan’s Sidra Ameen, who fought hard with her own unbeaten 121 off 150 balls, including 12 boundaries, to help her team post 255/5 after winning the toss and batting first.
Proteas skipper Laura Wolvaardt couldn’t stop praising her stars. “Taz and Kappie were phenomenal with the bat—we could have watched them all day,” she said, as quoted on the ICC website. Wolvaardt added that her bowlers did a solid job restricting Pakistan, especially in the death overs, when they feared a total closer to 280-300.
This win gives South Africa a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, with the second ODI set for Friday at the same venue. It’s great momentum for the Proteas ahead of the Women’s World Cup in the sub-continent.
Brits stole the spotlight with a special record—she’s now the only player in women’s ODIs to score a century against India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Her partner Kapp hailed her effort: “It was a tough innings, but Taz made it brilliant. We saw how Pakistan played aggressively, so we just needed to settle in and match the pace.”
Earlier, Pakistan’s innings kicked off with a duck for opener Shawaal Zulfiqar, caught sharply by keeper Sinalo Jafta off Ayabonga Khaka (2/36). Muneeba Ali’s gritty 76 off 94 balls, alongside Ameen’s knock, kept things going, but South Africa’s tight bowling limited the damage.
In the chase, things started rocky for South Africa—Wolvaardt fell for 4 to Sadia Iqbal (1/41), and Sune Luus made 30 before Rameen Shamim (1/29) got her. But Brits and Kapp steadied the ship, finishing the job in the second-last over. What a chase in this Pakistan vs South Africa women’s ODI!
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