Durban, South Africa – Pakistan Women’s cricket team secured a consolation 119-run victory over South Africa in the third and final ODI of the ICC Championship series on Sunday, finishing the tour with a spirited performance despite losing the series 2-1. The win, built on a commanding batting display and disciplined bowling, offered a positive end to a challenging campaign for Pakistan in South Africa. This Pakistan Women in SA 2025/26 tour saw South Africa ultimately claim the series, but not before a determined effort from the visitors in the final match.
Opener Sadaf Shamas was the architect of Pakistan’s imposing total of 306 for 8, falling just short of a century with a blistering 97 off 82 balls. Her innings, punctuated by 16 fours and a six, provided the foundation for a strong finish, expertly supported by captain Fatima Sana’s explosive 60 from just 41 deliveries. The pair’s late-order hitting propelled Pakistan beyond the 300-run mark, setting a daunting target for the Proteas Women.
Shamas Leads Pakistan’s Charge
Put into bat at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead, Pakistan initially stumbled with the early loss of Gull Feroza for 13. Though, Shamas quickly took control, forging a crucial 130-run partnership with Sidra Amin. Shamas’ aggressive strokeplay and ability to find the boundary consistently put pressure on the South African bowlers. She was eventually dismissed by Sune Luus, who finished with figures of 3 for 42, but not before laying the groundwork for a substantial score. Luus’s dismissal of Shamas came via a caught and bowled, marking a key moment in the innings.
Amin contributed a steady 41 before also falling to Luus, reducing Pakistan to 164 for 3 in the 27th over. But the momentum remained with the visitors, as captain Sana entered the fray and unleashed a powerful attack. Her innings included five sixes and three fours, showcasing her ability to clear the boundary with ease and ensuring Pakistan finished strongly.
South Africa’s Chase Collapses
In response, South Africa’s run chase got off to a disastrous start, collapsing to 7 for 3 within the first two overs. Tasmia Rubab and Sana quickly dismantled the top order, leaving the hosts in a precarious position. The early wickets of Tasmin Brits (4), Laura Wolvaardt (1), and Sune Luus (0) – the latter trapped lbw – dealt a significant blow to South Africa’s hopes.
Faye Tunnicliffe and Annerie Dercksen attempted to rebuild the innings, adding 85 for the fourth wicket. Tunnicliffe, who scored 47 off 51 balls, and Dercksen, with 54 off 67, provided some resistance, but the required run rate continued to climb. Nashra Sandhu eventually broke the partnership, dismissing Tunnicliffe, and the South African innings continued to falter.
Iqbal Seals the Victory for Pakistan
Further setbacks followed as Sinalo Jafta (33) and Dercksen were both dismissed in quick succession, leaving South Africa reeling at 147 for 6. Sadia Iqbal then stepped up, claiming three crucial wickets to mop up the tail and bowl South Africa out for 187 in 36.2 overs. Iqbal finished with impressive figures of 3 for 41, even as Sandhu and Umm-e-Hani each took two wickets. The comprehensive victory denied South Africa a clean sweep in the ODI series, following their earlier wins by 37 runs and 16 runs in Bloemfontein and Centurion respectively. ESPNcricinfo provides a detailed scorecard and match report.
South Africa had previously won the preceding T20 International series by the same 2-1 margin, demonstrating their overall dominance in the tour. However, Pakistan’s performance in the final ODI showcased their resilience and potential, offering a glimpse of what they are capable of achieving. The series win for South Africa confirms their status as a formidable force in women’s cricket, while Pakistan will look to build on this performance as they prepare for future challenges.
Pakistan thump South Africa to deny them an ODI clean sweep 🇵🇰🏏#SAvPAK | #SSCricket | #HereForHer https://t.co/vw1CRikYOW
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) March 1, 2026
The teams will now disperse, with both squads likely turning their attention to upcoming domestic and international commitments. For South Africa, the focus will be on maintaining their winning momentum, while Pakistan will aim to address areas for improvement and build a more consistent performance in future series. The SA-W vs PAK-W 3rd ODI Match Report highlights a determined effort from Pakistan, even in defeat across the series.
Fans can find further updates and analysis on the ICC website and through various cricket news outlets. The outcome of this series underscores the growing competitiveness of women’s cricket globally, with teams consistently raising the bar and delivering exciting contests for fans worldwide. The next scheduled international series for both teams is yet to be announced, but details will be available on the ICC’s official website as they become available.
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