South Africa are short of what they hoped for, a total of at least over 250, as only two of the top six got into double figures
South Africa 223 for 9 (Wolvaardt 75, Luus 62, Sana 3-43, Ghulam 3-52) vs Pakistan
Fatima Sana and Ghulam Fatima shared six wickets between them as Pakistan effected a strangle by seam and spin to keep South Africa to under 225 on a green Bay Oval track. Bismah Mahroof chose to bowl first, hoping her seamers would be able to exploit conditions, and Sana found early swing but it was also the left-arm spin of Nishra Sandhu that tied South Africa down. Ghulam, who returned to the XI after five years since she last played in February 2017, scythed through the middle order to leave South Africa well short of what they hoped for, a total of at least over 250.
South Africa’s line-up, which appeared thin against Bangladesh, was also brittle in this match. Only two of the top six got into double figures, but both Laura Wolvaardt and captain Sune Luus made their starts count and each brought up half-centuries. They also shared an 89-run third-wicket partnership which held South Africa together between collapses.
Sana found early swing and lured Wolvaardt into two risky, aerial shots when she offered some width. Wolvaardt drove Sana wide of Diana Baig at point and got an outside edge when she heaved at a full delivery that grazed the fingertips of Nida Dar at gully who needed more height to haul it in. But Sana did not have to wait much longer for a breakthrough. Lizelle Lee, returning to the XI after a late arrival in New Zealand following the birth of her first child, drove away from her body, got an edge and Sidra Nawaz took an impressive to her right.
More to follow
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo’s South Africa correspondent
