The Pakistan women’s cricket team concluded their tour of South Africa with a flourish, securing a comprehensive 119-run victory in the final One Day International (ODI) at Kingsmead, Durban. While the series had already been decided in favor of the hosts, Pakistan displayed immense grit to win the "dead rubber" match, proving they can compete with the world's best when they find their rhythm.
This victory felt like a repeat of earlier events on the tour. During the T20I leg, Pakistan also struggled in the initial games but managed to snatch a win in the final match. On Sunday, March 1, they followed that same script, putting together a complete performance with both bat and ball to silence the Durban crowd.
Sadaf Shamas: The New Star of Pakistan’s Batting
The foundation of Pakistan's success was laid by the young and aggressive opener, Sadaf Shamas. Shamas has been the find of the tour for the visitors. In the previous ODI, she played a solid knock of 61 as Pakistan put up a massive total of 345. Although they lost that high-scoring thriller, Shamas clearly brought that confidence into the final game.
Shamas was in blistering form from the start. She dismantled the South African bowling attack, scoring a magnificent 97 runs off just 82 deliveries. Her innings was a perfect blend of power and timing, falling agonizingly short of what would have been a well-deserved century.
She wasn't alone in her efforts. Shamas shared a vital 130-run partnership for the second wicket with the experienced Sidra Amin. Amin played the anchor role with a steady 41, allowing Shamas to take the risks. At one stage, Pakistan looked poised for a massive total, but South Africa’s veteran Sune Luus struck back. Luus picked up three quick wickets, and Pakistan suddenly found themselves wobbling at 216/5.
Fatima Sana’s Captain’s Knock
Just as it seemed South Africa might claw their way back into the game, Pakistan captain Fatima Sana stepped up to the plate. Sana is known for her bowling, but her batting development has been a major talking point in 2026.
Sana played a true captain's innings, providing the late-overs fireworks Pakistan desperately needed. She smashed 60 runs from only 41 balls, an innings highlighted by five massive sixes. Her aggression at the "death" (the final overs) pushed the Pakistan total to 306/8. It was a psychological blow to the South Africans, who had hoped to keep the target under 270.
Scorecard Summary: Pakistan Innings
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s/6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sadaf Shamas | 97 | 82 | 11/2 | 118.29 |
| Sidra Amin | 41 | 55 | 4/0 | 74.54 |
| Fatima Sana (C) | 60 | 41 | 3/5 | 146.34 |
| Sune Luus (SA) | 3-42 (10 ov) | - | - | 4.20 Econ |
The Chase: South Africa’s Top-Order Collapse
Despite the challenging target of 307, South Africa walked out to bat with plenty of confidence. After all, they had successfully chased 345 in the previous match just days earlier. However, the Pakistan bowlers had a different plan this time around.
The South African chase was derailed before it even began. In the very first over, Tazmin Brits was sent back to the pavilion. Things went from bad to worse in the second over when Fatima Sana took the ball herself. Sana claimed the two biggest prizes in South African cricket: captain Laura Wolvaardt and the dangerous Sune Luus.
Within just 12 balls, South Africa was reeling at 7/3. The home fans were in shock as their three most consistent batters were already out of the game.
A Brief Recovery and the Final Collapse
South Africa did not give up without a fight. Faye Tunnicliffe and Annerie Dercksen began the difficult task of rebuilding the innings. The duo put on a resilient 85-run stand, proving that the pitch was still good for batting if you applied yourself. Dercksen reached a fighting half-century (54), and the hosts started to harbor hopes of an unlikely comeback.
They followed that up with another 50-run partnership, taking the score to 142/4. At this point, the game was still somewhat alive. However, Pakistan's spin attack had other ideas.
Sadia Iqbal turned the game on its head. The left-arm spinner found purchase on the Durban surface and tore through the lower order. South Africa went from a respectable 142/4 to 187 all out. They lost their final six wickets for just 45 runs. It was a clinical bowling display from Pakistan, led by Iqbal's 3-41, that secured the 119-run win.
Statistical Breakdown: The Performance Gap
- Boundaries Scored: Pakistan hit 28 fours and 8 sixes; South Africa managed only 16 fours and 1 six.
- Bowling Economy: Pakistan's spinners maintained an average economy of 4.8, while South Africa's bowlers struggled at 6.1.
- Powerplay Performance: Pakistan was 54/1 after 10 overs; South Africa was a disastrous 31/3.
Conclusion: Looking Ahead to 2027
This win provides a much-needed boost for Pakistan as they head into a busy international schedule. Finishing a difficult tour with a dominant win against a top-tier side like South Africa shows that the team is evolving. The emergence of Sadaf Shamas as a reliable opening option and Fatima Sana’s growing stature as an all-round captain are huge positives.
For South Africa, while they won the series 2-1, the final game exposed some vulnerabilities in their batting depth when the top order fails early. Both teams will now look toward the 2027 Women's Cricket World Cup, with Pakistan proving they are no longer just "underdogs" but a genuine threat in the 50-over format.
Brief Scores
- Pakistan: 306/8 in 50 overs (Shamas 97, Sana 60; Luus 3-42)
- South Africa: 187 all out in 36.2 overs (Dercksen 54; Iqbal 3-41)
- Result: Pakistan won by 119 runs