Women Cricket World Cup, SA-W vs PAK-W: Assured of semifinal berth, South Africa goals to increase unbeaten run

The current Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 video games on the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo have supplied little in outcomes however a lot in missed alternatives.

For Pakistan, that sums up the marketing campaign thus far — slim margins in opposition to main rivals, rain-curtailed possibilities, and a crew nonetheless struggling for cohesion.

The batting unit, which carried a lot confidence from a profitable Qualifier run, misplaced its manner. This imbalance throughout the squad has left the bowling efforts — typically spirited and efficient — underappreciated.

Skipper Fatima Sana, Pakistan’s main wicket-taker, is aware of that if her crew is to maintain its faint knockout hopes alive, the upcoming match in opposition to South Africa on Tuesday might be decisive.

The 23-year-old, already burdened with the problem of lifting her aspect’s morale after a second consecutive washout, now faces the duty of weathering the Protean storm, which has blown away each opponent since its opening-match setback.

Already assured of a semifinal berth, Laura Wolvaardt and Co. will intention to increase their four-game unbeaten run. Having dominated the 20-over conflict in opposition to Sri Lanka earlier, South Africa might be keen to complete the Colombo leg on a successful observe.

The prolific opening pair of Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits cruised by way of the high-stakes chase in opposition to the host and appear to have rediscovered their rhythm. They’ll intention to hold that momentum ahead and provides the match-winning center order a powerful platform.

A way of familiarity will loom massive as South Africa and Pakistan had locked in a carefully contested three-match ODI sequence forward of the World Cup. The Proteas had been denied a clear sweep by a spirited Pakistan fightback in a low-scoring affair, orchestrated by Nashra Sandhu’s six-wicket haul.

The sequence additionally marked the height of Sidra Amin’s kind. The right-handed batter, Pakistan’s main run-scorer within the match thus far (125), piled up 293 runs throughout three innings, together with back-to-back centuries and a fifty. South Africa’s Brits additionally shone, racking up 272 runs in simply two matches, highlighted by consecutive lots of and her career-best ODI rating of 171 not out.

However, to capitalise on their assured run, each groups might be hoping for the relentless monsoon rains to remain away. The forecast, sadly, is much from promising, with showers predicted all through. Another deserted match might not considerably have an effect on South Africa’s marketing campaign, however for Pakistan, it will likely be a crushing blow.