South Africa sealed a thrilling six-round win over Pakistan in an ICC Women’s World Championship preliminary round match at the Bay Oval on Friday.
Women’s World Cup: South Africa defeats Pakistan in a low-scoring thriller (ICC Photo)
HIGHLIGHTS
- South Africa sealed a thrilling six-round win over Pakistan
- Shabnim Ismail clinched two wickets in a nerve-wracking final
- Pakistan continues to languish at the bottom of the points table
Star pacer Shabnim Ismail was on the ball and clinched two wickets in a nail-biting final to give South Africa a thrilling six-round win over Pakistan in an ICC Women’s World Cup league match at Mount Maunganui on Friday.
Ismail (3/41) defended 10 runs in the last over and secured two wickets while giving away just three runs to lead South Africa to their second tournament win.
Earlier, South Africa overcame an excellent spell from spinner Ghulam Fatima (3/52) to score a competitive 223/9 riding on half-centuries from opener Laura Wolvaardt (75) and skipper Suner Luus (62).
Shabnim Ismail kept his cool as South Africa defeated Pakistan in a suspenseful thriller at the Bay Oval #CWC22 | Report https://t.co/dZn9sVH77m
— ICC (@ICC) March 11, 2022
Their bowlers then sealed the deal despite the best efforts of Omaima Sohail (65) and Nida Dar (55).
“As a strike bowler, I like to come out with the death. I was always confident (of making that catch in the finals). I love catches, this was 100 percent mine. I don’t make a lot of catches in the warm up, but I always have my back,” Ismail said of her stunning show.
The win moved South Africa, unbeaten after two games, into third place while Pakistan continued to languish at the bottom of the points table.
“You have to love the World Cup, no game is easy. We can take the positives from the two wins and try to see what we need to work on further. We take one game at a time and want to play our best cricket,” said Luus after the game.
“We were very disciplined with the ball and the key moments that we missed cost us, South Africa decided those moments and they deserved the win,” said a disappointed Bismah Maroof later.
