South Africa got off to a winning start in the ODI series, bouncing back from a T20I series whitewash

Despite their impressive display in the recently concluded T20I series, where they achieved a clean sweep against South Africa, Pakistan struggled to mount a significant challenge against the visitors in the first ODI, ultimately suffering a substantial defeat.

South Africa won the toss and chose to bat first. Pakistan spinners, Nashra Sundhu and Umm-e-Hani, got early success when they got the wickets of Tazmin Brits and Laura Wolvaardt respectively. Aliya Riaz pitched in and got Lara Goodall out. With three down within the powerplay, it felt like South Africa would be forced to go on the backfoot. However, a glorious partnership of 183 runs between Marizanne Kapp and Sune Luus brought them to a commanding position. Luus, who remained unbeaten, got to her maiden ODI century, whereas Kapp scored her second ODI century. It was Nashra who eventually broke this partnership, but by then the damage had been done. By the end of the first innings, South Africa had produced a mammoth total of 292, that proved too big an ask for the hosts.

South Africa win the first ODI ??#PAKWvSAW | #BackOurGirls pic.twitter.com/iO5TIxnPV7

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 8, 2023

Pakistan, with a big chase ahead, got off to a nervous start. Shawaal Zulfiqar, on debut, fell victim to Ayabonga Khaka in the sixth over. Bismah Maroof, only having scored 10 runs, also lost her wicket in the powerplay. Quickly after that, the wickets of Sidra Amin and Nida Dar followed. For a short while, it felt like Muneeba Ali was getting comfortable enough to salvage the damage done by South Africa, however, she lost her wicket soon after. Pakistan found themselves 69-5 in 17 overs. Sidra Nawaz and Aliya Riaz tried to rebuild the innings; a partnership of 42 runs between the two stabilized the scorecard for Pakistan until Nonkululeko Mlaba got Sidra out.

Despite Aliya’s fighting knock, Pakistan could not close the gap, with wickets continuously falling on the other end. Pakistan were bowled out for 165, with the visitors comfortably winning by 127 runs.

MATCH SUMMARY

Pakistan Women vs South Africa Women, 1st ODI (ICC Championship Match)

Pakistan Women 165/10 (36.5 ov)

South Africa Women 292/4 (50 ov)

South Africa Women won by 127 runs.

SCORECARD

 MATCH STATS

South Africa Women Fall of wickets: 1-34 (Tazmin Brits - 3.4 ov), 2-40 (Laura Wolvaardt - 4.3 ov), 3-64 (Lara Goodall - 9.1 ov), 4-247 (Marizanne Kapp - 43.4 ov)

Pakistan Women Fall of wickets: 1-23 (Shawaal Zulfiqar - 5.2 ov), 2-35 (Bismah Maroof - 9.4 ov), 3-38 (Sidra Ameen - 11.1 ov), 4-49 (Nida Dar - 12.6 ov), 5-69 (Muneeba Ali - 16.6 ov), 6-111 (Sidra Nawaz - 26.2 ov), 7-121 (Umme Hani - 27.3 ov), 8-126 (Nashra Sandhu - 29.4 ov), 9-157 (Diana Baig - 35.3 ov), 10-165 (Ghulam Fatima - 36.5 ov)

PLAYING XI

PAKISTAN WOMEN - Muneeba Ali, Sidra Nawaz(WK), Bismah Maroof, Sidra Ameen, Aliya Riaz, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Nida Dar(C), Nashra Sandhu, Diana Baig, Ghulam Fatima, Umme Hani

SOUTH AFRICA WOMEN - Sinalo Jafta(WK), Laura Wolvaardt(C), Sune Luus, Lara Goodall, Tazmin Brits, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Delmi Tucker, Nonkululeko Mlaba

MATCH DETAILS

Date - 2023-09-08 10:30:00

Venue - National Stadium, Karachi

Toss - South Africa Women elected to bat

Umpires - Faisal Afridi (Pakistan), Rashid Riaz (Pakistan), Tariq Rasheed (Pakistan TV)

Match Referee - Ali Naqvi (Pakistan)

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