Women Cricket World Cup, SA-W vs PAK-W: Assured of semifinal berth, South Africa aims to extend unbeaten run

The recent Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 games at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo have offered little in results but much in missed opportunities.

For Pakistan, that sums up the campaign so far — narrow margins against major rivals, rain-curtailed chances, and a team still struggling for cohesion.

The batting unit, which carried so much confidence from a successful Qualifier run, lost its way. This imbalance within the squad has left the bowling efforts — often spirited and effective — underappreciated.

Skipper Fatima Sana, Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker, knows that if her team is to keep its faint knockout hopes alive, the upcoming match against South Africa on Tuesday will be decisive.

The 23-year-old, already burdened with the challenge of lifting her side’s morale after a second consecutive washout, now faces the task of weathering the Protean storm, which has blown away every opponent since its opening-match setback.

Already assured of a semifinal berth, Laura Wolvaardt and Co. will aim to extend their four-game unbeaten run. Having dominated the 20-over clash against Sri Lanka earlier, South Africa will be eager to finish the Colombo leg on a winning note.

The prolific opening pair of Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits cruised through the high-stakes chase against the host and seem to have rediscovered their rhythm. They’ll aim to carry that momentum forward and give the match-winning middle order a strong platform.

A sense of familiarity will loom large as South Africa and Pakistan had locked in a closely contested three-match ODI series ahead of the World Cup. The Proteas were denied a clean sweep by a spirited Pakistan fightback in a low-scoring affair, orchestrated by Nashra Sandhu’s six-wicket haul.

The series also marked the peak of Sidra Amin’s form. The right-handed batter, Pakistan’s leading run-scorer in the tournament so far (125), piled up 293 runs across three innings, including back-to-back centuries and a fifty. South Africa’s Brits also shone, racking up 272 runs in just two matches, highlighted by consecutive hundreds and her career-best ODI score of 171 not out.

However, to capitalise on their confident run, both teams will be hoping for the relentless monsoon rains to stay away. The forecast, unfortunately, is far from promising, with showers predicted throughout. Another abandoned match may not significantly affect South Africa’s campaign, but for Pakistan, it will be a crushing blow.