Thrilling tie between Proteas and Pakistan women in Benoni
It was even Stevens in Benoni between the sides.
Captain Suné Luus lashed a free-scoring 80 runs and Masabata Klaas claimed three wickets, but it was not enough as Pakistan managed to tie the decisive third ICC Women’s Championship (IWC) One Day International (ODI) against the Proteas women in Benoni on Sunday.
This meant that the series was drawn 1-1 at Willowmoore Park.
The hosts managed to pile on a strong 265/6 after being put in to bat first, but the tourists responded with 265/9 thanks to a plucky career-best by Aliya Riaz (71 runs).
It was a disappointing end to the series and the point shared by each side did little to bolster their prospects on the IWC table, with the South Africans staying fourth on 16 points and the Pakistanis up to fifth with 15.
As for the game itself, it was a see-saw affair that looked to be headed the home side’s way until Riaz’s effort had taken her side to 243/6.
A Klaas (3/55) double blow and Chloe Tryon run-out looked to have swayed things back in favour of the hosts, but a six by Nashra Sandhu from the penultimate delivery proved decisive as the two sides played to their first ever tie against each other.
Earlier, the South Africans dominated proceedings thanks to half-centuries by openers Lizelle Lee (57 runs off 61 balls, 10 fours) and Laura Wolvaardt (56 off 84 balls, five fours).
It was their 17th and 13th 50-plus scores respectively in the format. Their opening stand yielded 75 runs, before Luus (80 off 84 balls, six fours and two sixes) and Wolvaardt added 60 for the third wicket to keep the home side in the driving seat.
The skipper hung around until deep in the innings, with Tryon (28) providing quick runs to help her side set 266.
Pakistan were reduced to 37/3 early on as Shabnim Ismail (1/42), Marizanne Kapp (2/57) and Klaas struck – the latter, fresh from a hat-trick in the previous game, removing the dangerous opposition captain Bismah Maroof for three.
Javeria Khan (74 off 103 balls, nine fours) and Nida Dar (27) dug in, followed by Riaz’s stellar 71 (82 balls, six fours, three sixes) that ultimately proved decisive.
The teams will play two more matches of the tour in Benoni when the fourth and fifth matches of the five-match T20 international series come to Willowmoore Park next week.
Those matches will be played on May 22 and 23 at the Benoni cricket ground from 1pm.
The whole Pakistan tour to South Africa is live-streamed on the Cricket South Africa YouTube channel.
• Proteas women’s T20 team: Suné Luus (captain, Northerns), Chloe Tryon (vice-captain, KwaZulu-Natal Coastal), Lizelle Lee (North West), Tazmin Brits (North West), Laura Wolvaardt (Western Province), Shabnim Ismail (Gauteng), Mignon du Preez (Northerns), Tumi Sekhukhune (North West), Masabata Klaas (North West), Marizanne Kapp (Eastern Province), Nadine De Klerk (Northens), Moseline Daniels (Border), Nondumiso Shangase (KwaZulu-Natal Coastal), Sinalo Jafta (wicket-keeper, North West).
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