AI Simulation, PAK W vs SA W | Sidra Amin and Fatima Sana shine as Pakistan makes winning start

Pitch & Weather

The Gaddafi track was flat, with true bounce, offering perfect batting conditions and the spinners got some turn later into the game. 

The weather was hot and dry at the start of the game with rains interrupting the action for a while in the second half.

Toss & Conditions

South Africa Women won the toss and elected to bat first.

Lineups

Pakistan Women: Shawaal Zulfiqar, Muneeba Ali, Sidra Amin, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Pervaiz, Sidra Nawaz (wk), Fatima Sana (c), Diana Baig, Rameem Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Nashra Sandhu.

South Africa Women: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Nondumiso Shangase, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Annerie Dercksen, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka.

Match Report

In a tightly contested first ODI at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan Women clinched a four-wicket victory over South Africa Women in front of an enthusiastic home crowd. A steady top-order chase, led by Sidra Amin, proved decisive after South Africa posted a slightly under-par 236/8.

Put in to bat, South Africa started solidly with Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits negotiating Pakistan’s seamers. Brits looked aggressive, striking a six over cover, while Wolvaardt played her trademark elegant drives. Their 68-run stand was broken by skipper Fatima Sana, who got Brits caught behind. Luus then joined her captain in a 59-run partnership, but Pakistan’s spinners applied the squeeze. The left-arm spin duo of Nashra Sandhu and Sadia Iqbal dried up runs, while Fatima returned to dismiss Wolvaardt for 75, with the South Africa skipper hitting eight fours during his knock. Despite useful contributions from Marizanne Kapp and Chloe Tryon, South Africa could not find a late flourish as their innings ended at 236/8. Meanwhile, Fatima was the pick among the Pakistan bowlers with a spell of 3/41 in 10 overs, while Sandhu picked up 2/39.

Pakistan’s chase began with Shawaal Zulfiqar falling early, but the experienced pair of Sidra Amin and Muneeba Ali rebuilt calmly. Amin’s innings was a masterclass in anchoring a chase as she rotated strike and punished the loose balls. She hit seven fours in her 111-ball 80 as Muneeba’s 52 added urgency to the pursuit, with six fours and a six. The pair put together a vital 96-run stand to keep the home side in control during the chase. South Africa briefly clawed back through Nonkululeko Mlaba and Kapp, dismissing both set batters, but Aliya Riaz stood firm as she showed maturity by mixing caution with timely aggression. Her unbeaten knock of 45 from 56 balls, including four fours and a six, ensured that no panic set in, with Pakistan crossing the target with 11 balls to spare.

Player of the Match

Sidra Amin was adjudged the Player of the Match for anchoring the chase with a composed 80 under pressure.

Scorecard