South Africa beat Pakistan by 127 runs in the first ODI at the National Stadium in Karachi.
Chasing 293 after the South Africans posted a formidable 292 for four following Proteas captain Laura Wolvaardt’s decision to bat first, the home side was bowled out for 165 in the 37th over.
The brilliant 183-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Sune Luus (107 not out) and player of the match Marizanne Kapp (100) laid the foundation for the victory. The 292 was South Africa’s highest ODI score against Pakistan and also the highest score to date at the National Stadium.
Shawaal Zulfiqar and Sidra Ameen walked out to the middle to start the massive run chase while Kapp was handed the ball by Wolvaardt to open the bowling.
Ayabonga Khaka picked up proceedings from the other side. It wasn’t long before her consistent line and length delivered the desired result when Zulfiqar played across the line and had to walk back for seven (15b, 1x4).
Wickets then started falling at regular intervals, with all the South African bowlers contributing.
Nadine de Klerk produced a beautiful delivery to send Bismah Maroof’s wickets flying (10, 15b, 1x4). The South African picked up her second wicket when Sidra Ameen (19, 33b, 2x4) tried to sweep a ball that was too full and was trapped in front. Pakistan were wobbling on 38 for three.
That became 49 for four when captain Nida Dar (11, 10b, 2x4) was cleaned bowled by Nonkululeko Mlaba. The slow left-arm orthodox bowler introduced a change of pace a couple of overs later to get rid of Muneeba Ali (20, 26b, 4x4) with the score moving to 69 for five.
Aliya Riaz and Sidra Nawaz came together with one task at hand – to consolidate but at the same time not let the required run rate get out of hand. Pakistan’s 100 was up in the 24th over, with the partnership reaching 31.
The dreaded Nelson struck with the score on 111 when Nawaz (18, 27b, 2x4) was sent packing after wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta took a catch behind off the bowling of Mlaba, with the Protea bowler collecting her third wicket.
Pakistan stumbled to 121 for seven when Umm-e-Hani was run out for one in the 28th over.
The stumble became a tumble at 126 for eight when De Klerk picked up her third wicket and the second lbw decision in her favour after Nashra Sandhu (0, 9b) failed to find her feet.
A second run out, this time Diana Baig, (15, 21b, 2x4) who was caught short by De Klerk, brought the home team to their knees on 159 for nine.
The last wicket to fall was that of Ghulam Fatima (1, 4b), lbw to Delmi Tucker. Riaz was not out on 49 off 58 deliveries, including six fours.
TOP-CLASS PARTNERSHIP
Earlier, Wolvaardt and Tazmin Britz opened the batting and scored 34 runs for the first wicket before Britz was trapped lbw by Nashra Sandhu for 17 (9b, 3x4). Wolvaardt departed soon afterwards, also for 17 (9b, 3x4) when Sandhu took a comfortable catch from the bowling of Umm-e-Hani.
Former captain Luus and Lara Goodall then took the score to 64 before wicketkeeper Nawaz took a low catch from the bowling of Aliya and Goodall had to walk back for 15 (19b, 2x4).
Kapp and Luus steadied the ship and the 100 was up for the Proteas in the 19th over, with the fourth wicket partnership between Kapp and Luus growing to 36.
Refreshed and re-energised after the drinks break, the 100 partnership (127b) between the dynamic batting duo came up in the 31st over, with Kapp contributing 54 and Luus 44. South Africa were on 164 for three.
When the last 10 overs arrived, South Africa were sitting comfortably on 231 for three. Kapp was on 91 off 95 and within reach of her second ODI 100. Luus (87 of 105) was chasing her first ton in ODIs.
Kapp crossed the magical marker for the second time in the 43rd over. Her 100 came of 110 balls and included 12 fours and one six. A brilliant catch by Umm-e-Hani in deep mid-wicket from the bowling of Sandhu, however, saw the end of Kapp’s mammoth innings.
Luus surpassed her previous highest ODI score of 93 when she reached 100 (121b, 7x4) in the 47th over.
At the end of the innings, Luus was still there on 107 (129b, 7x4) with De Klerk on 28 (23b, 3x4).
For Pakistan, Sandu took two wickets for 50 runs in her 10 overs, Umm-e-Hani one for 59 in nine and Aliya one for 31 in five.
The second ODI, also at the National Stadium in Karachi, takes place on Monday.
SOUTH AFRICA: Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Britz, Lara Goodall, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, Delmi Tucker, Sinalo Jafta, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Nonkululeko Mlaba.
PAKISTAN: Nida Dar (capt), Sidra Ameen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Bismah Maroof, Muneeba Ali, Aliya Riaz, Sidra Nawaz, Umm-e-Hani, Diana Baig, Nashra Sandhu, Ghulam Fatima.