Sadia Iqbal, Nashra Sandhu Lead Pakistan to Victory Against South Africa


Sadaf Shamas scored a brilliant 97 off 82 balls, leading Pakistan Women to a consolation win against South Africa in the third ODI, securing a 119-run victory. Shamas put on a 130-run partnership with Sidra Amin for the second wicket, and captain Fatima Sana smashed a 41-ball 60 with 5 sixes and 3 fours, pushing Pakistan's total to 306/8. Sadaf Shamas' partnership with Sidra Amin propelled Pakistan's innings, with Shamas scoring 97 (16 fours, 1 six). She was caught and bowled by Sune Luus (3/42) after the 130-run stand. Luus then bowled Amin (41) in her next over, reducing Pakistan to 164/3 in the 27th over. However, Pakistan never took their foot off the pedal: they chugged along nicely until captain Fatima Sana, slotting in at No. 7 at the end of the 39th over, entered to give Pakistan the finishing kick. She hit five sixes and three fours during her 41-ball 60, which helped launch their total past the 300-run mark. South Africa's chase was off to a disastrous start, losing 3 wickets for 7 runs by the end of the second over. Tasmia Rubab and Sana Mir's early wickets set the tone, making it tough for South Africa to recover. Without a big partnership, they struggled to build momentum. Faye Tunnicliffe and Annerie Dercksen's 85-run partnership for the fourth wicket was a brief South African revival. Tunnicliffe's 47 (51 balls) was a highlight, but Nashra Sandhu's dismissal of her shifted momentum back to Pakistan. South Africa were 92/4 at that point. Wicketkeeper-batter Sinalo Jafta and Dercksen put up another 50-run partnership, but in back-to-back overs, Jafta (33) and Dercksen (54) were taken out to snuff any hopes of a comeback win for South Africa. By then, they had been reduced to 147 for 6. South Africa's chase was thruled as they lost 3 wickets for 7 runs early on. Despite Annerie Dercksen's 54 and Faye Tunnicliffe's 47, Pakistan's bowlers, led by Sadia Iqbal's 3/41, restricted South Africa to 187, sealing the win. Pakistan 306 for 8 (Shamas 97, Sana 60, Luus 3-42) beat South Africa 187 (Dercksen 54, Tunnicliffe 47, Sadia 3-41) by 119 runs