Womens ODI World Cup: South Africa sends Pakistan packing

Rain, a ordinary disruptor on the R. Premadasa Stadium, was on Tuesday an uncommon spectator, watching Pakistan get overpowered by a dominant South Africa of their Women’s ODI World Cup conflict.

What started as a frightening 306-run chase in 40 overs was rapidly derailed by frequent wickets and stop-start showers. The struggles started early, with Muneeba Ali falling within the second over. From there, South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp took cost, denting the line-up with a double-strike in an over that included the important thing wicket of Sidra Amin.

The impatient rain stored slicing into Pakistan’s already dwindling probabilities. By the ultimate resumption, 234 runs had been wanted off 20 overs— a Herculean process, however it was the case even earlier than the chase started.

Under strain and unable to construct momentum, Fatima Sana’s facet crumbled, handing the Proteas an enormous 150-run win — a end result that additionally ended Pakistan’s hopes of reaching the knockouts.

Earlier, South Africa got here out with aggressive intent regardless of an early setback.

Skipper Laura Wolvaardt led the best way. The opener started with class and timing by way of the off-side earlier than rising more and more dominant. She introduced up her fifty with a crisp drive by way of cowl, then stepped out frequently, rotating the strike effortlessly, and dictating the tempo.

Crucial partnerships with Sune Luus and Kapp performed a key position in her rising confidence on the crease. With Luus, she added 118 runs for the second wicket, steadying the innings and dulling Pakistan’s early edge.

Luus settled in, picked her gaps, and introduced up a well-made 61 earlier than falling to Nashra Sandhu. Wolvaardt then joined Kapp for a 64-run stand, inching in direction of a deserved century, earlier than falling prey to Sandhu.

The skilled Kapp stored the runs flowing, notching up a composed but fast half-century.

With the explosive Nadine de Klerk, the 2 smashed 52 runs off 20 balls to push South Africa comfortably previous the 300-run mark, which proved far an excessive amount of for Pakistan.

The scores: South Africa 312/9 in 40 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 90, Sune Luus 61, Marizanne Kapp 68 n.o., Nadine de Klerk 41, Sadia Iqbal 3/63, Nashra Sandhu 3/45) bt Pakistan 83/7 in 20 overs (Kapp 3/20). DLS goal: 234 in 20 overs.

Toss: Pakistan. PoM: Kapp.