In the last ODI, Pakistan defeated South Africa by
eight wickets thanks to half-centuries from Sidra Ameen and Bismah Maroof,
preventing them from sweeping the series 3-0. After failing in the first two
ODIs, Pakistan’s top order succeeded in chasing down a target of 186 in just 38
overs.
Ameen and Safaf Shamas put on a 39-run opening
partnership before Maroof joined her in a 110-run second-wicket stand that
solidified Pakistan’s lead. Before Ameen went LBW to Nadine de Klerk for 68 off
82 balls, both had reached their half-centuries.
Aliya Riaz’s introduction prompted Pakistan to
accelerate towards their goal; she blasted three fours in a Masabata Klaas over
and sped to an unbeaten 19 off 14 while putting on an unbroken 37 with Maroof,
who finished not out on 60 off 98; they completed the innings together off just
31 balls. It was the 19th ODI fifty for the former Pakistan captain.
When South Africa decided to bat, Sadia Iqbal bowled
their skipper Laura Wolvaardt in the first over, ending their innings before
they had scored a run. With a partnership of 35 runs off of 41 balls, Tazmin
Brits and Laura Goodall steadied the innings. However, the game’s outcome
shifted when Goodall injured herself and left the field in the eighth over.
With a 36-run partnership for the fifth wicket,
Marizanne Kapp and de Klerk helped them slightly recover, but Pakistan
restrained the scoring; there was only one boundary hit from the 14th to the
30th overs. Kapp fell when attempting to get free of this choke, failing to
clear mid-off off Iqbal.
Delmi Tucker and de Klerk added a further 37 runs, but
South Africa’s innings collapsed after that, going from 137 for 5 to 145 for 8,
with the loss of keeper-batter Sinalo Jafta due to a run-out.
Ayabonga Khaka and Klaas spent a total of 29 balls at
the wicket, contributing 15 and 25 with de Klerk, who was the last out for 60
off 95 balls. Nos. 10 and 11 remained at the crease. With two wickets each
taken by Sadia, Nashra Sandhu, and Nida Dar, South Africa was dismissed in 48.1
overs.