The first match of the series was won by Pakistan, courtesy of standout performances from Bismah Maroof and Asmavia Iqbal. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
KARACHI: A five-wicket haul from leg-spinner Sune Luus helped the South Africa women’s cricket team draw level in the series 1-1 as they beat Pakistan by three wickets in the second ODI of the ICC Women’s Championship series at the Sharjah Stadium in UAE.
The first match of the series was won by Pakistan, courtesy of standout performances from Bismah Maroof and Asmavia Iqbal.
Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first but the batsmen failed as Pakistan struggled for runs.
The innings never got going as opener Marina Iqbal (10) got out early, while the star of the first match, Bismah, who had made 99, got out without opening her account. The team was struggling at 23-2 but Javeria Khan and Nain Abidi brought stability with a 49-run stand.
However, both got out in quick succession after Javeria made 34 with five boundaries, while Nain chipped in with 21, to mean that the hosts were once again struggling for momentum.
Skipper Sana Mir kept on fighting from one end but found precious little support from the other end as Luus ran through Pakistan’s lower middle-order and tail.
Sana remained unbeaten on 35 off 68 balls as Pakistan were bowled out for 133 in 48.4 overs.
Apart from Luus, Shabnim Ismail also bowled well and claimed three wickets.
In reply, South Africa also got off to a dreadful start as they were rocked upfront by Anam Amin as she picked up three early wickets to leave South Africa reeling at 28-3.
However, Trisha Chetty (33) and Lizelle Lee (28) put on a 47-run fourth-wicket stand to give their team a realistic chance of winning. Quick wickets gave Pakistan another sniff but Dane ven Niekerk stood between Pakistan and victory, scoring an unbeaten 34 with the help of a six and a boundary as South Africa finished with 134-7 with eight balls to spare.
Anam finished with four wickets in her 10-over spell and conceded just nine runs, while Kainat Imtiaz claimed two scalps.
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