Sandhu’s Six-For Powers Pakistan to Consolation Win Over South Africa

News Desk

Lahore: Left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu produced a sensational spell, returning the second-best bowling figures for Pakistan in women’s ODIs, to script a six-wicket win against South Africa in the third and final ODI at Gaddafi Stadium on Monday.

Sandhu ripped through South Africa’s top order with figures of 6 for 26 in nine overs, restricting the visitors to just 115 in 25.5 overs. Although South Africa had already secured the series 2-0, Pakistan’s victory prevented a clean sweep and gave the hosts a morale-boosting finish.

Opting to bat, South Africa made five changes to their XI and started briskly as captain Laura Wolvaardt and Karabo Meso added 38 runs inside seven overs. Wolvaardt looked in ominous touch, striking early boundaries off Fatima Sana and Diana Baig, while Sune Luus also began positively. However, Sandhu’s introduction turned the game on its head.

She dismissed Luus with her second delivery and then removed Miane Smit and Sinalo Jafta in quick succession to leave South Africa reeling. Omaima Sohail chipped in with the wicket of Meso, while Sandhu continued her demolition by castling Chloe Tryon with a sharp turner to complete her maiden five-wicket haul. She soon added Nadine de Klerk to her tally, before Syeda Aroob Shah cleaned up the tail.

Chasing 116, Pakistan stumbled early when Omaima Sohail fell for a golden duck, but opener Sidra Amin anchored the innings with an unbeaten 50. She shared a crucial 65-run stand with Muneeba Ali (33), who fell alongside captain Fatima Sana in the same over to de Klerk. Amin, however, held firm and fittingly struck the winning boundary to seal the game in 31 overs.

Amin finished the series as the leading run-scorer with 293 runs in three innings, including two centuries and a match-winning half-century in the finale.

Despite losing the series 2-1, Pakistan’s commanding performance in the last ODI provided a strong finish ahead of their next assignments.