COLOMBO: Pakistan were eliminated from the 2025 Women’s World Cup on Tuesday after South Africa defeated them in a rain-shortened match at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
Chasing a revised target of 234 in 20 overs after multiple rain delays, the Green Shirts were restricted to 83/7, losing the match by 150 runs.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Sidra Nawaz remained the top scorer for Pakistan with an unbeaten 22 off 33 deliveries, followed by Natalia Pervaiz, who made a 24-ball 20. The duo also shared a 31-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Marizanne Kapp led the bowling side for South Africa, taking three wickets for just 20 runs in her five overs. She was supported by Nondumiso Shangase, who scored two goals, while Ayabonga Khaka scored with one goal.
The 150-run win took South Africa to the top of the ICC Women’s World Cup standings as they now have 10 points in six matches with a net run rate of 0.276.
Batting first, the Proteas Women amassed a formidable total of 312/5 in the allotted 40 overs when the match was shortened due to a two-hour rain delay.
However, Pakistan initially planned to chase the target of 306 runs in 40 overs as per the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS).
South Africa got off to a contrasting start to their innings as Pakistan captain Fatima Sana Tazmin dismissed Britten for a four-ball duck in the second over with just five runs on the board.
However, after the rain delay, Laura Wolvaardt and Luus anchored the innings by putting together a crucial 118-run partnership, each amassing half-centuries.
The score finally culminated in the 17th over when Nashra Sandhu caught Luss at extra cover. The right-handed batsman scored 61 off 59 deliveries, peppered with 10 boundaries, including two sixes.
South Africa then lost another wicket in quick succession when Annerie hit Dercksen in the 22nd over after nine off 17 deliveries.
After the successive setbacks, experienced all-rounder Kapp joined skipper Wolvaardt in the middle for a vital 64-run partnership for the fourth wicket until the opener fell victim to Sandhu in the 31st over.
Wolvaardt remained the top scorer for South Africa with 90 off 82 deliveries, studded with 10 fours and two sixes.
Kapp, on the other hand, held his ground and strengthened South Africa’s total with an unbeaten 68 off 43 deliveries, peppered with six fours and three sixes. She got ample support from Nadine de Klerk, who played a blistering cameo of 41 runs from just 16 deliveries, with three fours and four sixes.
Sandhu was the bowlers’ favorite for Pakistan, taking three wickets for 45 runs in eight overs, followed by Sadia Iqbal with two, while Fatima made one scalp.
