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De Klerk stars as Proteas women win ODI series against Pakistan

cricket11 September 2023 16:45| © MWP
By:Neil Manthorp
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Nadine de Klerk played a pivotal, all round role for South Africa as they beat Pakistan by six wickets with 16 overs to spare in the second one-day international and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series at the Karachi National Stadium on Monday.

De Klerk took three wickets in her first seven balls to help reduce Pakistan to 49-6 before adding un unbeaten 24 from 30 balls during an unbroken fifth wicket partnership of 54 with Marizanne Kapp who was 29 not out from just 28 balls when the game ended, both players having struck four boundaries.

De Klerk’s early inroads were halted by a seventh wicket stand of 114 between Aliya Riaz (53) and Fatima Sana (69) which saw the home side recover to 168 all out and prevent an embarrassingly one-sided match.

Kapp (0-33) and Ayabonga Khaka (2-21) bowled parsimoniously with the new ball on a slow, turning pitch before de Klerk (4-32) struck twice in two balls in her first over having left-handed opener Muneeba Ali (4 from 24 balls) caught behind by ‘keeper Sinalo Jafta.

Sadaf Shamas (0) bottom-edged a legside pull-shot in to Jafta’s gloves but there was nothing fortunate about the dismissal of opener Sidra Ameen (12 off 22 balls) who received the perfect yorker with the first ball of De Klerk’s second over.

Bismah Maroof (4) was clean bowled by Kapp before Khaka had captain Nida Dar (5) caught by Jafta and Sidra Nawaz taken by Laura Wolvaardt as the home side lost their sixth wicket before reaching 50.

Thirty-year-old debutant Riaz knuckled down and found a willing and able partner in Sana as they patiently rebuilt the inning with 13 fours between them before left arm-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba had Sana well stumped by Jafta for 69 from 87 balls with 10 fours.

De Klerk claimed a fourth wicket when Umm-e-Hani was beaten for pace and trapped lbw for a single and Riaz’s fighting innings came to a close on 53 from 86 balls (3x4) when she drove Klaas to Wolvaardt at extra cover.

RUN CHASE IN CONTROL

The run-chase always seemed in control despite Laura Wolvaardt (13) slicing a drive to backward point after an opening stand of 41 with Tazmin Brits who scored a stylish 45 from 54 balls with four fours and the only six of the match before miscuing to mid-on.

Lara Goodall compiled a patient 36 from 53 balls (5x4) against a triple-spin attack enjoying bountiful turn before a leading edge led to her downfall but Kapp and De Klerk safely guided the tourists to a comfortable win.

South Africa lead the series 2-0 after a comprehensive victory by 127 runs in the first ODI at the same venue on Saturday.

Pakistan won the preceding, three-match T20 International series 3-0.

PAKISTAN:  Sidra Ameen, Muneera Ali, Bismah Maroof, Nida Dar (captain), Aliya Riaz, Sidra Nawaz (wkt), Fatima Sana, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal, Umme Hani, Sadaf Shamas.

SOUTH AFRICA: Laura Wolvaardt (captain), Tazmin Brits, Lara Goodall, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, Delmi Tucker, Sinalo Jafta (wkt), Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba.

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