ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Women capped off their three-match ODI series against South Africa with an emphatic six-wicket win at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, showcasing notable improvement and strong individual performances despite narrowly losing the series 2-1.

The final belonged to Nashra Sundhu, who claimed career-best figures of 6 for 26. Her performance helped bowl out South Africa for just 115 in 25.5 overs, their second-lowest ODI total against Pakistan.

With her match-winning spell, Nashra also completed 100 ODI wickets in just 74 innings, becoming the fastest Pakistani woman to achieve the milestone, and only the third overall after Nida Dar and Sana Mir. Her accuracy and control in the middle overs proved decisive in Pakistan’s dominant bowling display.

The game also marked a successful return for leg-spinner Syeda Aroob Shah, who picked up 2 for 16, wrapping up the tail in her first ODI appearance in six years.

In the run chase, Sidra Amin continued her excellent form, finishing unbeaten on 50 off 94 balls to guide Pakistan to victory in the 31st over. This was her 12th ODI half-century and capped off a superb series in which she scored 293 runs, the most by any player across the three matches.

Opener Muneeba Ali contributed a solid 44 off 76 balls, putting together a key 65-run partnership with Sidra that laid the foundation for a comfortable chase. Later, Natalia Parvaiz added a brisk 14 off 10 balls to help maintain the momentum.

Despite losing the first two matches, Pakistan Women showed clear progress throughout the series. After a tough opening game, the team narrowed the margin in the second ODI and then bounced back strongly to secure a convincing win in the final fixture, a reflection of their growing depth and resilience.

For South Africa, skipper Laura Wolvaardt top-scored with 28, while Nadine de Klerk claimed 2 for 19.

Tazmin Brits was named Player of the Series for South Africa, but it was Pakistan’s bowlers and Sidra Amin who headlined the final match with their standout performances.

Key performers

Sidra Amin:

Sidra Amin was the star of the series for Pakistan, scoring 293 runs with two centuries and a fifty in the three-match ODI series. She became the first Pakistani woman to hit back-to-back ODI hundreds and now has six career centuries to her name, more than all other Pakistani women cricketers combined, who have scored four.

Nashra Sundhu:

Nashra Sundhu was the standout with the ball, taking a career-best 6 for 26 in the third match. She also reached a major milestone by claiming her 100th ODI wicket in just 74 innings – the fastest ever to do so for Pakistan.

World Cup campaign begins soon

The team will now depart for Sri Lanka this evening to take part in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025.

Fatima Sana-led Pakistan women’s team will play two warm-up matches against Sri Lanka and South Africa as part of their final preparations for the World Cup 2025.

The team will open its campaign on Oct. 2 against Bangladesh, followed by group-stage fixtures against arch-rival India on Oct. 5 in Colombo. The Greenshirts will also face Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, and Sri Lanka.

Pakistan’s fixtures:

Oct. 2 – vs Bangladesh

Oct. 5 – vs India

Oct. 8 – vs Australia

Oct. 15 – vs England

Oct. 18 – vs New Zealand

Oct. 21 – vs South Africa

Oct. 24 – vs Sri Lanka

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Strong finish for Pakistan women as Nashra, Sidra shine in ODI series