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In the ninth match of the ongoing ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, South Africa defeated Pakistan by six runs during a thrilling contest at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Friday.
Put to bat first, the Proteas posted 223/9 on the board in their allotted 50 overs, thanks to respective half-centuries by opener Laura Wolvaardt and captain Sune Luus. Wolvaardt top-scored for her side with 75 off 91 balls, including 10 boundaries. Similarly, Luus smashed 62 from 102 deliveries with the help of three boundaries.
Chloe Tryon (31 off 38) and Trisha Chetty (31 off 26) made some valuable contributions down the order to help South Africa reach a decent total. For Pakistan, Fatima Sana (3/43) and Ghulam Fatima (3/52) both bagged three wickets each.
In reply, the match went down to the wire, where South Africa eventually bundled out Pakistan for 217 in 49.5 overs to win the nail-biting contest by only six runs.
Omaima Sohail (65 off 104) and Nadia Dar (55 off 72) smashed brilliant half-centuries but not enough support from the lower-order restricted Pakistan to register a victory.
For South Africa, experienced campaigner Shabnim Ismail bagged three wickets while conceding 41 runs in 9.5 overs. Apart from Shabnim, Marizanne Kapp (2/43) and Ayabonga Khaka (2/43) also picked up a couple of scalps each.
South Africa have reached the third spot in the points table while Pakistan fell down to the last position.
“As a strike bowler, I like to come out at the death. I was always confident (of taking that catch in the final over). I love catches, that was 100 per cent mine. I don’t take a lot of catches during warm-ups, but I always back myself. I think the batters need to put their heads down and bat. But as long as we’re winning, it’s alright,” said Shabnim after the match.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
What a finish that was🤯 💪
📷 ICC/Getty#PAKvSA #CWC22 #BePartOfTheForce #AlwaysRising pic.twitter.com/ou8QhnXrWK
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) March 11, 2022
#TeamSouthAfrica win a thriller 👏
Shabnim Ismail's stunning final over helps them register a six-run victory against #TeamPakistan 🙌#CWC22 pic.twitter.com/quL7RKedha
— ICC (@ICC) March 11, 2022
#ShabnimIsmail is one cricketer I enjoy watching.. Always there, giving it her all on the field, and absolutely fun loving off it..#CWC22#SAvPAK
— WV Raman (@wvraman) March 11, 2022
Four thrillers in 9 games in the World Cup so far. What a tournament we are getting to see. So much more to come. #CWC22
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) March 11, 2022
What a finish to the match, South Africa closing down back to back matches. They need to do more work as tough matches are on their way but bowlers have done a fantastic job. Hard luck, Pak. #CWC22
— Bhawana (@bhawnakohli5) March 11, 2022
Youngest player to reach 25 fifty-plus scores in Women's ODIs:
22 years – Laura Wolvaardt 🇿🇦
23 years – Stafanie Taylor 🏝️
25 years – Mithali Raj 🇮🇳
25 years – Smriti Mandhana 🇮🇳#CWC22 #PAKvSA— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) March 11, 2022
South Africa defeat Pakistan by 6 runs. #CWC22
— Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan) March 11, 2022
Shabnim Ismail remains one of the best women's fast bowlers in the world. Ice cold composure to see the game through. 🥶🙌🏽💥
— Gabi-Lee (@GabiLee_vdW) March 11, 2022
Three matches ended with a win margin of less than 10 runs in the tournament so far, the most in an edition of Women's World Cup.
Four times a team won by a margin of fewer than 15 runs, which is also the highest in an edition of WWC. #SAWvPAKW #WWC22
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) March 11, 2022
Must be heartbreaking for Pakistan Women's team. Played so well today. South Africa have escaped big time. #CWC22 #SAWvPAKW
— Abhishek (@abhishekr2502) March 11, 2022
Ayabonga Khaka is such a banker. Game in and game out she delivers. The key to her success is keeping it simpel, tight and attacking the stumps. #SAvPAK #CWC22
— Werner (@Werries_) March 11, 2022
