South Africa vs Pakistan, 1st WODI: All-round Luus lifts South Africa 1-0 up in rain-affected clash

Match Overview

South Africa faced Pakistan in the first women’s ODI of the three-match series at Bloemfontein’s Mangaung Oval on February 22. Winning the toss, Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana opted to field first.

South Africa notched up a formidable 260 for 6 in a rain-shortened 41-overs-per-side match on the back of Sune Luus’ masterful unbeaten 76-ball 93, including eight fours and a six, and Sinalo Jafta’s quickfire unbeaten 38-ball 57 at No. 8.

Jafta and Luss added 90 runs for the seventh wicket off just 56 balls, which was the second half-century stand Luus was involved in, having added 80 off 75 for the fourth wicket with Annerie Dercksen.

Dercksen amassed 31 off 37 with three fours and a six and was the fourth wicket to fall. Her wicket led to a mini-collapse as Chloe Tryon was cleaned up by Nashra Sindhu while Nadine de Klerk was pinned lbw by Syeda Aroob Shah, with the team slipping from 164 for 3 to 170 for 6 in a span of two overs. Pakistan’s hopes for restricting South Africa to a manageable total were dashed by Luus and Jafta, who took the game away with their counterattacking alliance, which was the highlight of the innings.

Earlier, Pakistan had applied some early pressure as Diana Baig removed the aggressive Tazmin Brits early, while No. 3 Lara Goodall struggled to get going, falling for 13 off 22 to Sadia Iqbal. However, skipper Laura Wolvaardt looked at ease, hitting five fours in her well-paced 43 off 50 before being sent back by Sindhu.

Pakistan’s response was jittery to say the least, losing openers Muneeba Ali and Sadaf Shamas inside the first four overs. South Africa had to wait for nearly 21 overs for the next wicket as Sidra Amin and Ayesh Zafar held the fort, adding 126 for the third wicket at a fair clip (124 balls). Amin hit nine fours in her 69-ball 68 while Zafar dropped anchor, scoring 81 off 94 with seven fours.

South Africa’s saviour with the bat, Luus got into the act with the ball as well, removing Amin in the 24th over to derail the chase. Pakistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals from that stage as Natalia Pervaiz and Fatima fell cheaply, with the latter becoming Luus’ second wicket.

When de Klerk sent back Ayesha, Pakistan were reduced to 178 for 6, with the fate of the game seemingly sealed. Aliya Riaz (32 off 26) showed some intent, slamming six boundaries, but left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba had her stumped while pacer Tumi Sekhukhune cleaned up the tail to dismiss Pakistan for 223, ensuring a comfortable 37-run win and 1-0 lead for the team.

Top run-scorer of the match

Top wicket-taker of the match

Player of the match

Sune Luus

Luus shone with her all-round performance as her 93-run blitz laid the foundation of South Africa's total before she returned to claim two crucial wickets: a well-set Sidra Amin and Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana to end with figures of 2 for 31.