Pakistan ready to take on South Africa in Women’s ODI series opener today

2026-02-22 - 07:13

Pakistan will lock horns with South Africa in the ODI series opener at Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein, on Sunday (today). The second match will be played at SuperSport Park, Centurion, on February 25. The third match will be played at Kingsmead, Durban, on March 1. The three-match ODI series is part of the 2025-2029 ICC Women’s ODI Championship, the competition that serves as a qualification route for the 2029 Women’s Cricket World Cup. In this cycle, each side will feature in eight three-match ODI series; four home and four away, so every game carries significant value in the Championship standings. For Pakistan, in the current squad, in the batting department, Sidra Amin has featured in 13 ODIs against South Africa, scoring 476 runs at an average of 43.27, including two centuries and as many half-centuries. In the bowling unit, left-arm spinner Nashra Sundhu has played 16 matches, claiming 25 wickets at an economy rate of 4.16 with her career-best figures of 6-26 coming against the Proteas in September 2025. Wahab Riaz said: “The T20I series was very competitive, and we will look to give South Africa a tough time in the ODI series as well. It is all about belief. We have been playing good cricket and now need to implement our plans better. “ODI cricket is different to T20Is; one has to be more disciplined. The pitches are good for both bowling and batting. These wickets are supportive and aid anyone who plays good cricket. “We have made a few changes, but we will play positive, attacking cricket. At the same time, we will take our time in the middle. If we execute our plans well, we can win this series. “Every match is important for us. We are working hard to cover loopholes in the fielding; one good catch or run-out can change the momentum of the game.” 15-member squad: Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali (wicket-keeper), Najiha Alvi (wicket-keeper), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab and Umm-e-Hani Schedule: 1st ODI – 22 February – Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein (day) at 1 pm PKT 2nd ODI – 25 February – SuperSport Park, Centurion (day/night) at 4 pm PKT 3rd ODI – 1 March – Kingsmead, Durban (day) at 1 pm PKT Pakistan bag consolation win as South Africa secure T20I series 2-1