AI Simulation, PAK W vs SA W | Brits, Kapp and Khaka shine as Proteas seal series with clinical win

Pitch & Weather

The pitch looked flat with a touch of grass, but aided the spinners as the game wore on. The surface was good for batting initially, but got trickier under lights as minimal dew allowed the slower bowlers to control the shots. 

A warm Lahore afternoon (32°C), with dry air, welcomed both sides to the Gaddafi Stadium, but the temperatures cooled down slightly as the game progressed.

Toss & Conditions

South Africa Women won the toss and elected to bat first.

Lineups

Pakistan Women: Shawaal Zulfiqar, Muneeba Ali, Sidra Amin, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Pervaiz, Sidra Nawaz (wk), Fatima Sana (c), Diana Baig, Rameem Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Nashra Sandhu.

South Africa Women: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Nondumiso Shangase, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Annerie Dercksen, Tumi Sekhukhune, Maine Smit, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka.

Match Report

The second ODI at Gaddafi Stadium produced a hard-fought contest as South Africa Women edged Pakistan Women by 24 runs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp scored contrasting half-centuries to take the Proteas to a competitive total, before a disciplined bowling effort led by Ayabonga Khaka restricted the home side.

Batting first after winning the toss, South Africa started steadily with Laura Wolvaardt and Brits negotiating the new ball. While Wolvaardt fell for 41 off 52 balls, Brits continued to anchor the innings with a measured knock. The highlight of the innings came in the form of a 122-run stand between Brits and Kapp, who accelerated proceedings through the middle phase. She mixed class and power, striking six fours and two sixes during her 68-ball 77, while Brits was happy to accumulate her runs from ones and twos. Pakistan briefly fought back through spinners Rameem Shamim and Sadia Iqbal, who bowled with control, but South Africa’s batting depth carried them to 273/6, a competitive total on a slightly slowing surface. Brits scored 84 from 98 balls, a knock that included eight fours and a six, while Shamim’s off-spin fetched her 2/47 in 10 overs.

Pakistan’s reply revolved around their two in-form batters, Muneeba Ali and Sidra Amin. Muneeba’s breezy 64, off 74 balls, gave Pakistan early momentum, while Sidra played the sheet-anchor role to perfection. She hit eight fours and a six during her knock of 89 from 106 balls, top-scoring for the hosts for the second straight match. The pair added 112 runs for the second wicket, putting Pakistan on course for a series-levelling win. But once Ayabonga Khaka and Tumi Sekhukhune struck in quick succession, removing both set batters, Pakistan’s middle order faltered. Aliya Riaz and Natalia Pervaiz tried to keep the asking rate in check, but the Women in Green failed again in the death overs. With 48 needed off the last five overs, the home side’s lower middle-order crumbled in the face of pressure, ending at 249/9 in their stipulated 50 overs. Medium pacer Khaka finished with figures of 3/39 in 10 overs, with Kapp and Sekhukhune supporting her with two wickets each.

Player of the Match

Tazmin Brits was adjudged the Player of the Match for anchoring the Proteas innings to a formidable total with a steady half-century.

Scorecard