Pakistan faced South Africa in their third and final ODI at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Monday, a crucial clash in preparation for the upcoming Women’s World Cup. After winning the toss, Proteas skipper Laura Wolvaardt elected to bat first, putting Pakistan on the field under afternoon skies. The match carried added significance for Pakistan with young batter Eyman Fatima making her ODI debut, while spin all-rounder Syeda Aroob Shah returned to the side to strengthen the bowling attack.
Also Read: Who will be the next BCCI President? Name revealed
The home side entered the contest after falling just short in the second ODI. Despite a mammoth 313-run target adjusted under the Duckworth-Lewis method, Pakistan’s Sidra Amin produced a sensational innings to keep her team in contention. Her knock, which made her the first Pakistani woman to score consecutive centuries, lit up the stadium, but the Green Shirts eventually fell 25 runs shy. The result left the series poised, with both teams eyeing momentum heading into the World Cup.
Earlier in the series, South Africa had shown their dominance with a comfortable eight-wicket victory in the first ODI, chasing down Pakistan’s 256-run total with ease. Their batters looked composed, while the Proteas bowlers managed to contain Pakistan’s middle order. For the hosts, the defeats highlighted the need for sharper execution under pressure, particularly in handling high targets.
Despite the setbacks, Pakistan’s performances carried promising signs. Sidra Amin’s back-to-back hundreds established her as one of the most reliable batters in the squad, while the return of Aroob Shah bolstered the spin attack for the final ODI. The inclusion of debutant Eyman Fatima also reflected Pakistan’s intent to build depth, as she earned her spot after making her T20I debut against Ireland in Dublin last month.
The series was staged entirely at Gaddafi Stadium, with each match beginning at 3:30pm, and both teams came into the contests well-prepared. Pakistan had conducted a two-week pre-series camp in Lahore featuring practice matches and scenario-based drills to refine strategies. The Proteas, meanwhile, entered with confidence, led by the in-form Wolvaardt, who has consistently anchored their batting lineup.
Looking at the broader picture, this series was not just about wins and losses but also about ironing out weaknesses ahead of the eight-team Women’s World Cup, scheduled from September 30 to November 2 in India and Sri Lanka. Pakistan will play all their matches in Sri Lanka, a factor that adds weight to these preparatory games as they adapt to conditions and combinations.
Historically, South Africa have held the upper hand in ODIs against Pakistan, winning most of their 28 encounters. Yet, the memory of Pakistan’s emphatic eight-wicket win in Karachi last September during the ICC Women’s Championship still serves as inspiration for the Green Shirts, proving they can topple the Proteas when conditions and confidence align.
For now, the focus remained on the Lahore showdown, where Pakistan’s bowlers sought early breakthroughs to restrict South Africa’s batting power, while the batters looked to draw strength from Sidra Amin’s form. With a World Cup around the corner, the stakes were high, the margins slim, and both sides eager to end the series on a statement victory.