Laura Wolvaardt and skipper Sune Luus both scored half-centuries. Meanwhile, Shabnim Ismail took three wickets to ensure Pakistan fell short despite putting up a strong fight. South Africa won the ICC Women’s World Cup 2022 for the second time. They defeated Pakistan by six runs in Mount Maunganui after setting a target of 223.
Fatima Sana struck in the third over after electing to bowl. Diana Baig took a wicket in the eighth, reducing South Africa to 21 for 2 after a slow start. That’s when Luus and Laura Wolvaardt teamed up to get the innings back on track, scoring 89 runs off 131 balls.
South Africa was handicapped a little by the captain’s go-slow attitude. The pair batted until the 30th over and put the team past 100.
Struggles of Pak bowlers and the strong stand of Laura Wolvaardt
With the innings’ final 20 overs approached, it was up to Laura Wolvaardt to up the ante. Ghulam Fatima, on the other hand, struck to dismiss the opener for 75 off 91. South Africa fell to 110 for 4 after she gave Mignon du Preez a duck three balls later.
The situation was made worse when Marizanne Kapp also struggled to get going and fell to Fatima, leaving the team in serious trouble at 120 for 5.
While Pakistan had staged a remarkable recovery, South Africa was also able to mount one. Before the former was dismissed, Chloe Tryon and Luus combined for 55 runs off 68 balls to help the innings get going.
During their 34-run stand-off 26 balls, Trisha Chetty and Luus attacked the Pakistan bowlers. That ensured South Africa’s momentum towards the end of the innings.
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The shining of SA bowlers along with Laura Wolvaardt
Pakistan got off to a fast start but was undone by Ismail’s double-wicket maiden. In the seventh over, the pacer dismissed Sidra Ameen and Bismah Maroof, leaving her opponents at 26 for 2. With a stand of 69, Nahida Khan (40) and Omaima Sohail (65), the chase remained on track, but they chewed through 113 deliveries as the asking rate continued to rise.
Sohail scored her maiden World Cup half-century, but Masabata Klaas, Kapp, and Ayabonga Khaka struck several blows, leaving Pakistan battling at 162 for 6. Despite Nida Dar’s aggressive show, Pakistan required 67 in the final ten overs. However, wickets meant the asking rate slipped away from them.
Diana Baig hammered 10 off 5 to reduce the equation to 10 off the final over with 30 needed in the final three overs.
However, Pakistan’s failure to cross the line was due to Dar’s run out in the penultimate over.
Brief scores
Brief scores: South Africa 223/9 in 50 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 75; Fatima Sana 3-43) beat Pakistan 217 in 49.5 overs (Omaima Sohail 65; Shabnim Ismail 3-41) by six runs.
