Sandhu takes six-fer to give Pakistan consolation win in final ODI

LAHORE: Nashra Sandhu picked up career-best figures to help Pakistan record a six-wicket victory in the third and final One-Day International (ODI) against the Proteas Women in Lahore on Monday, giving the South Africans a 2-1 series triumph.

The Proteas were bowled out for 115 thanks to Sandhu’s leading figures of six for 26 in her nine overs before the hosts chased down the target within 31 overs after an unbeaten 50 off 94 balls (8 fours) from Sidra Amin.

South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first, with the new-look opening pair of Laura Wolvaardt (28) and Karabo Meso (12) guiding the visitors to 38/0 in the seventh over before Diana Baig (1/21) made the breakthrough by dismissing Wolvaardt.

Wolvaardt’s departure triggered a collapse, as Pakistan seized control through spinner Sandhu, who took charge of the innings. Sandhu then produced a stunning spell, claiming six wickets around Omaima Sohail’s (1/20) wicket of Meso (12). She accounted for Suné Luus (10), Miané Smit (9), and Anneke Bosch (10) before removing Sinalo Jafta (4), Chloé Tryon (3), and Nadine de Klerk (13), reducing the Proteas to 94/8 after 21 overs.

Despite Masabata Klaas’ (13*) efforts to push the tourists beyond the 100-run mark, Syeda Aroob Shah (2/16) struck with two quick wickets to wrap up proceedings, bowling Ayabonga Khaka (8) before having Nonkululeko Mlaba (0) caught to end the South African innings at 115 all out in 25.5 overs.

In their chase, Pakistan lost an early wicket when Mlaba (2/46) dismissed Sohail (0) in the second over. Despite that early setback, the home side quickly regained control of the innings through Amin and Muneeba Ali (44), who shared a solid 65-run stand for the second wicket.

With momentum firmly in Pakistan’s favour, Nadine de Klerk (2/19) struck back in the 22nd over, removing Ali and Fatima Sana (0) in quick succession to peg the hosts back at 66 for 3.

With wickets falling at the other end, Amin continued to lead the charge for the host nation, teaming up with Natalia Pervaiz (14) for a 38-run partnership to take Pakistan to the brink of victory.

Although Mlaba picked up her second wicket of the contest, removing Pervaiz in the 29th over, Amin went on to notch up her half-century before sealing the triumph for Pakistan with 19 overs to spare.

The Proteas Women will now travel to Sri Lanka, where they are scheduled to play two warm-up matches against Bangladesh and Pakistan in preparation for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.

Proteas Women Squad – ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025

Laura Wolvaardt (Captain) (Fidelity Titans), Anneke Bosch (Fidelity Titans), Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions), Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Marizanne Kapp (World Sports Betting Western Province), Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions), Masabata Klaas (Fidelity Titans), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso (DP World Lions), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions), Nondumiso Shangase (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), and Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions)

Travelling Reserve

Miané Smit (Fidelity Titans)

Fixtures – ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025

Thursday, 25 September at 11h30 – 1st Warm-Up: South Africa vs Bangladesh (Colombo Cricket Club, Colombo)

Sunday, 28 September at 11h30 – 2nd Warm-Up: South Africa vs Pakistan (Colombo Cricket Club, Colombo)

Friday, 03 October at 11h30 – South Africa vs England (Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati)

Monday, 06 October at 11h30 – South Africa vs New Zealand (Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore)

Thursday, 09 October at 11h30 – South Africa vs India (ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam)

Monday, 13 October at 11h30 – South Africa vs Bangladesh (ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam)

Friday, 17 October at 11h30 – South Africa vs Sri Lanka (R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo)

Tuesday, 21 October at 11h30 – South Africa vs Pakistan (R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo)

Saturday, 25 October at 11h30 – South Africa vs Australia (Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore)