Women’s ODI World Cup 2025: Slam-bang South Africa blows Pakistan away, denies rain the last laugh

The rains, a habitual disruptor at the R. Premadasa Stadium, were on Tuesday an unusual spectator, watching Pakistan get overpowered by a dominant South Africa in their Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 clash.

What began as a daunting 306-run chase was quickly derailed by frequent wickets and stop-start showers. The struggles began early, with Muneeba Ali falling in the second over. From there, South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp took charge, denting the line-up with a double-strike over that included the key wicket of Sidra Amin.

The impatient rain kept slicing into Pakistan’s already dwindling chances. By the final resumption, 186 runs were needed off the last eight overs — a herculean task, but it was the case even before the chase began.

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Under pressure and unable to build momentum, Fatima Sana’s side crumbled, handing the Proteas a confidence-boosting 150-run win (DLS)— a result that also ended Pakistan’s hopes of reaching the knockouts.

Marizanne Kapp was clinical with bat and ball, scoring a crucial 43-ball 68 and taking three wickets in five overs, to seal the game in South Africa’s favour.
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Earlier in the day, South Africa came out with aggressive intent despite an early setback. In the rain-trimmed 40-over contest, skipper Laura Wolvaardt led the way.

The opener began with elegance and timing through the off-side before growing increasingly aggressive. She brought up her fifty with a crisp drive through cover, then started playing her natural game — stepping out, rotating strike effortlessly, and dictating the tempo.

Crucial partnerships with Sune Luus and Kapp played helped the Proteas dominate all through. Wolvaardt and Luus added 118 runs for the second wicket, steadying the innings and dulling Pakistan’s early edge when it dismissed Tazmin Brits for her third duck of the tournament.

Luus settled in, picked her gaps, and got to a well-made 61 before falling to Nashra Sandhu. Kapp then joined Wolvaardt for a 64-run stand, with the skipper inching towards a deserved century before falling prey to Sandhu.

The experienced Kapp kept the runs flowing, notching up a composed yet quick half-century. She took a backseat when Nadine de Klerk entered the fray in the last leg, whose 41-run blitz off just 16 balls, pushed South Africa comfortably past the 300-run mark, which proved far too much for Pakistan.

Published on Oct 21, 2025