The SA team drew one point clear of Australia and England in the first-round table.
South Africa delivered a superb performance with bat and ball on Tuesday, climbing to the top of the Women’s Cricket World Cup standings as they cruised to their fifth straight win with a 150-run victory over Pakistan on the DLS method in Colombo.
Picking up another two points, the SA side drew one point clear of Australia and England (who both held nine points) at the summit of the standings, as they continued their fine run of form ahead of next week’s playoffs.
In a match which was interrupted multiple times due to adverse weather conditions, Pakistan’s target was adjusted to 234 runs from 20 overs, and they fell well short.
After being reduced to 35/4, Pakistan never really got off the ground in their chase, with Sidra Nawaz top-scoring after hitting 22 not out in a futile effort.
Producing a superb all-round effort, South Africa’s bowlers never really gave their opposition a chance, spearheaded by all-rounder Marizanne Kapp who took 3/20.
Kapp was well backed by spinner Nondumiso Shangase, who grabbed 2/19, and the rest of the attack did well to strangle the Pakistani line-up as they were restricted to 83/7.
Pakistan innings
Earlier, after Pakistan won the toss and sent the Proteas in to bat, the match was delayed after just two overs due to rain.
Returning to the field following a delay of more than two hours, the SA team’s innings was reduced to 40 overs, and they romped to a total of 312/9.
It was a spectacular display of batting, with captain Laura Wolvaardt (90 off 82), Sune Luus (61 off 59) and all-rounder Kapp (68 off 43) all reaching half-centuries to put their team in firm control.
In addition, in-form all-rounder Nadine de Klerk smashed 41 off 16 to give South Africa a boost down the order in a quickfire innings which featured four sixes and three fours as she continued to display her big-hitting prowess.
Sadia Iqbal (3/63) and Nashru Sandhu (3/45) were the best of Pakistan’s bowlers, taking three wickets each, but four of their team’s six bowlers went for more than seven runs an over as they struggled to contain the opposition.
The Proteas, who had already qualified for the playoffs, were set to face the world’s top-ranked team, Australia, in their last match of the league stage of the tournament in Indore on Saturday.
