Marizanne Kapp of South Africa celebrates with team mate Laura Wolvaardt after taking the wicket of Aliya Riaz of Pakistan (not pictured) during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup India 2025 match between South Africa and Pakistan at R. Premadasa Stadium on October 21, 2025 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Photo: ICC via Getty Images
Rain, a habitual disruptor at the R. Premadasa Stadium, was on Tuesday an unusual spectator, watching Pakistan get overpowered by a dominant South Africa in their Women’s ODI World Cup clash.
What began as a daunting 306-run chase in 40 overs was quickly derailed by frequent wickets and stop-start showers. The struggles began early, with Muneeba Ali falling in the second over. From there, South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp took charge, denting the line-up with a double-strike in an over that included the key wicket of Sidra Amin.
The impatient rain kept slicing into Pakistan’s already dwindling chances. By the final resumption, 234 runs were needed off 20 overs— a Herculean task, but it was the case even before the chase began.
Under pressure and unable to build momentum, Fatima Sana’s side crumbled, handing the Proteas a massive 150-run win — a result that also ended Pakistan’s hopes of reaching the knockouts.
Earlier, South Africa came out with aggressive intent despite an early setback.
Skipper Laura Wolvaardt led the way. The opener began with elegance and timing through the off-side before growing increasingly dominant. She brought up her fifty with a crisp drive through cover, then stepped out on a regular basis, rotating the strike effortlessly, and dictating the tempo.
Crucial partnerships with Sune Luus and Kapp played a key role in her growing confidence at the crease. With Luus, she added 118 runs for the second wicket, steadying the innings and dulling Pakistan’s early edge.
Luus settled in, picked her gaps, and brought up a well-made 61 before falling to Nashra Sandhu. Wolvaardt then joined Kapp for a 64-run stand, inching towards a deserved century, before falling prey to Sandhu.
The experienced Kapp kept the runs flowing, notching up a composed yet quick half-century.
With the explosive Nadine de Klerk, the two smashed 52 runs off 20 balls to push South Africa comfortably past the 300-run mark, which proved far too much for Pakistan.
The scores: South Africa 312/9 in 40 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 90, Sune Luus 61, Marizanne Kapp 68 n.o., Nadine de Klerk 41, Sadia Iqbal 3/63, Nashra Sandhu 3/45) bt Pakistan 83/7 in 20 overs (Kapp 3/20). DLS target: 234 in 20 overs.
Toss: Pakistan. PoM: Kapp.
Published – October 22, 2025 12:29 am IST
