Pakistan register highest ever Women’s ODI total in losing cause

2026-02-26 - 07:43

Pakistan women were bowled out for 345 in pursuit of a 362-run target in the second ODI at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on Wednesday night as South Africa gained an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. Pakistan registered their highest ever ODI total, surpassing the previous 335-3 against Ireland women in 2022 in Lahore. The third ODI will be played at the Kingsmead Cricket Stadium in Durban on Sunday, March 1. Pakistan’s spirited effort was led by fluent half-centuries from Ayesha Zafar (75), Sadaf Shamas (61) and skipper Fatima Sana (52). Syeda Aroob Shah (40) and Diana Baig (38) also chipped in with valuable contributions lower down the order as the visitors threatened to set the record for the highest ever successful chase in women’s ODIs. Earlier, South Africa posted their second-highest total in WODIs after being asked to bat first. They were aided by Dercksen, who top-scored with a 68-ball 90, hitting six fours and four sixes after walking in to bat at 118-3 in 18.5 overs. Opening batter Tazmin Brits scored 77 off 62 balls, featuring ten fours and two sixes, after losing her Laura Wolvaardt for 20 as the duo put on 55 off the first 8.4 overs. Pakistan struck in the 16th and 19th over as Faye Tunnicliffe and Brits departed to spinners Aroob and Nashra, respectively. At this juncture, Luus (57) and Dercksen shared a vital 102-run stand to take the score to 220-4 in 37.1 overs, with the former pinned leg-before by Aroob. An over later, Sadia Iqbal castled Sinalo Jafta to reduce South Africa to 234-5 in 39.2 overs. While Fatima denied Dercksen her second ODI century, Nadine de Klerk (49) and Chloe Tryon (37) went all guns blazing as South Africa ransacked 127 runs off the last 62 balls of their innings. New Zealand thrash Sri Lanka in T20 World Cup Super Eight clash