Pakistan leave for Women’s World Cup
The Pakistan team was posing with PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi after the third ODI against South Africa. Photo: PCB
The Pakistan women’s cricket team departed for Sri Lanka on Tuesday to take part in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025.
Fatima Sana-led Pakistan women’s team will play two warm-up matches against Sri Lanka and South Africa as part of their final preparations for the World Cup 2025.
The team will open its campaign on October 2 against Bangladesh, followed by group-stage fixtures against India, Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, and Sri Lanka.
In the build-up to the tournament, Pakistan hosted South Africa in a home ODI series that concluded on Monday. The visitors claimed the series 2-1, with Pakistan managing a consolation win in the final match.
Following the series, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi visited Gaddafi Stadium and urged the national side to approach the World Cup with a fearless mindset.
“Fight till the last ball. Success is always the result of teamwork,” Naqvi told the players, wishing them success for the campaign in India.
Pakistan Women defeated South Africa Women by six wickets at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Monday night in the final game of the three-match ODI series. South Africa bagged the series 2-1 after winning the first two matches on 16 and 19 September.
Nashra’s career-best figures and Sidra Amin’s unbeaten half-century ensured Pakistan chased down a meagre 116-run target in 31 overs.
Earlier, Pakistan skittled South Africa for 115 in 25.5 overs – their second lowest total against Pakistan in ODIs – as left-arm spinner Nashra wreaked havoc with figures of 9-2-26-6.
Nashra became third – following Nida Dar and Sana Mir - and fastest (74 innings) among Pakistan Women’s bowlers to the 100 ODI wickets milestone besides registering her best bowling figures in the format eclipsing her previous best of 4-26 against India in ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2017 at Derby in England.
After choosing to bat first, South Africa began briskly, reaching 38 without loss in 6.3 overs through skipper Laura Wolvaardt’s 28 off 23 balls comprising six fours.
South Africa’s promising start was disrupted when Laura hit one straight to Muneeba off Diana Baig. Diana was involved again in the subsequent dismissal two overs later, catching Sune Luus, who became Nashra’s first prey with South Africa having gathered 50 runs in as many balls.
In the last over of Powerplay, off-spinner Omaima Sohail struck to remove opening-batter Karabo Meso (12, 20b) caught and bowled leaving South Africa 59-3.
Nashra then struck blow after blow to take 5-8 in her next six overs as South Africa slumped from 61-3 to 94-8.
Syeda Aroob Shah – who returned to the ODI side after six years – picked up the last two wickets to wrap up South Africa’s innings as they registered their second lowest ODI score in last five years.
In reply, Muneeba (44, 76b, 6x4s) and Sidra Amin combined for a 65-run stand for the second wicket following Omaima Sohail’s departure in the second over.
South Africa’s Nadine de Clerk struck twice in 22nd over to remove Muneeba and Fatima Sana to reduce Pakistan to 66-3 before Natalia Parvaiz scored a 10-ball 14 including two boundaries in a 40-run fourth-wicket stand with Sidra.
Following Natalia’s departure in the 29th over, Sidra (50 not out, 94b, 8x4s) finished the game with a boundary in the 31st over, reaching her 12th ODI half-century in the process. Sidra also finished with the most runs in the three-match series scoring 293 off 354 balls.
Scores in brief:
Match 3 of 3: Pakistan beat South Africa by six wickets at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
South Africa 115 all out, 25.5 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 28; Nashra Sundhu 6-26, Syeda Aroob Shah 2-16)
Pakistan 117-4, 31 overs (Sidra Amin 50 not out, Muneeba Ali 44; Nadine de Klerk 2-19, Nonkululeko Mlaba 2-46)
Player of the match -Nashra Sundhu (Pakistan)
Player of the series - Tazmin Brits (South Africa)
Pakistan Squad for Women’s World Cup 2025: Fatima Sana (c), Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (vice-captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wicket-keeper), and Syeda Aroob Shah.