Pakistan had won only 3 matches in their previous 18 encounters against South Africa in ODI, before that day in 2019. On the other hand, South Africa was looking for a convincing series win which would help them to increase the points in ICC Women Championship. A full 6 points would have increased their chances to qualify directly in the World Cup ’21.
But Pakistan, under the captaincy of Bismah Maroof, had another plan that day at Senwes Park, Potchefstroom. Pakistan won the toss and they decided to field first. South Africa suffered a major setback in the very first over when their Destructive opener Lizelle Lee was caught behind of the bowling of Fatima Sana. Though Lee started with a four through deep backward point, Fatima Sana avenged it by taking up her wicket only two balls later.
South African batting was shattered in the very next over when Off Spinner Sana Mir picked up two useful wickets of Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luss. Both the batters have proven their worth in One Day format, and they were capable of taking the match away from the grasp. Mir was hit a boundary through third-man in the 3rd ball of the over. But in the very next ball, Wolvaardt went for a drive against a ball that was well tossed up. That classic off-spinner found the gap between bat and pad and hit the middle stump of Wolvaadrt.
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In the very next delivery, Sune Luss found her off stump disturbed by the ball which remained straight. Sune Luus who was prepared to face ‘off-spin’, had no answer to that. Though Andrie Steyn and Mignon du Preez wanted to stable the innings with a partnership of 22 for the 4th wicket, Steyn was judged LBW off the bowling of their legendary off-spinner Sana Mir. In her next over Mir picked up the crucial wicket of Mignon Du Preez as well.
Chloe Tryon was the top scorer for the Proteas Side with 21 but Pakistani spinner bundled their opponent in just 63 runs within 23 overs. While Sana Mir picked up 4 wickets by giving only 11 runs she was well supported by Nashra Sandhu and Nida Dar. It was South Africa’s lowest total against Pakistan while batting first and 2nd lowest overall.
Pakistan too lost their first wicket in the first over but their two seasoned campaigners Bismah Maroof and Javeria Khan made a partnership 38 runs to earn their 4th ODI victory against South Africa and at the same time it was their largest victory in terms of balls remaining (212 balls). Sana Mir became the player of the match 7th 4 wicket haul and her best-ever figure against South Africa.
Brief Score:
South Africa 63/10 (Chloe Tryon 21, Sana Mir 4/11) lost to Pakistan 66/2 (Javeria Khan 34*, Shabnim Ismail 1/18) by 8 wickets.
