South Africa crush Pakistan by 150 runs to take top spot in Women’s World Cup

South Africa defeated Pakistan by 150 runs in a rain-affected Women’s World Cup match, with Marizanne Kapp’s all-round performance and Laura Wolvaardt’s 90 leading the way. Pakistan was set a DLS target of 234, but could only manage 83/7

Colombo: South Africa steamrolled Pakistan by 150 runs in a rain-affected round-robin league match to leapfrog to the top of the points table in the Women’s World Cup here on Tuesday.

South Africa now have 10 points from six games and, for at least a day, they will sit above Australia and England—both on nine points and pitted against each other on Wednesday in Indore.

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After an initial delay, the match was reduced to 40 overs per side, with South Africa posting a challenging total of 312 for 9. Laura Wolvaardt top-scored with 90, while Sune Luus (61) and Marizanne Kapp (68) also contributed crucial half-centuries.

However, multiple rain interruptions led to further revisions, and Pakistan were set a DLS target of 234 runs in 20 overs. Unfortunately, they could only manage 83 for seven in reply, with South Africa’s bowlers dominating.

Pakistan were never in contention to chase down the target. By the end of the 10th over, they had been reduced to 35 for 4 when the heavens opened up.

Marizanne Kapp, who had earlier contributed with the bat, ran through Pakistan’s top order, taking three of the four wickets to end any hopes of a miraculous chase. Once the rain stopped, South Africa earned the two points they deserved.

Earlier, Wolvaardt gave South Africa an attacking start, Kapp added solidity in the middle order, and Nadine de Klerk’s late flourish propelled the team to an imposing total.

Wolvaardt’s knock of 90 came off 82 balls, including 10 fours and 2 sixes. She and Luus put on 118 runs in just over 15 overs for the second wicket, with Luus contributing 61 off 59 balls.

Once Luus was dismissed, Kapp took over, scoring 68 runs and adding 60 for the fourth wicket with Wolvaardt. Kapp’s all-around effort made her a key figure in the Proteas’ dominant performance.

Pakistan’s bowlers struggled to contain the South African batting onslaught. Captain Fatima Sana was taken for 69 runs in eight overs, while spinner Sadia Iqbal was hammered for four sixes and seven fours. Diana Baig, too, had a rough day, conceding 49 in five overs.

De Klerk was the star finisher for South Africa, contributing a rapid 16-ball 41, which included 3 fours and 4 sixes—three of which were exceptional shots. She took full advantage of the loose deliveries, hitting Iqbal over long-off, Sana down the ground, and hoicking Baig over mid-wicket.

Kapp, in her post-match comments, expressed disappointment that her team couldn’t bat the full 50 overs on a beautiful wicket. “It was a beautiful wicket to bat on. I’m a bit annoyed we didn’t get to bat the full 50 overs. We had a lot of fun out there. Wolvaardt and Sune set a beautiful platform for us, and it made our jobs easier to play our natural games,” said Kapp.

She added, “I feel I bat better at No. 5. I like batting with the lower order.” On her bowling, Kapp noted, “I didn’t bowl too well. I wasn’t happy with my bowling. I think I bowled better in the last few games, but I was lucky to get three wickets. Everyone has been bowling pretty well, and I hope we can keep improving.”

With this victory, South Africa has put themselves in a strong position, while Pakistan will need to regroup and improve as the tournament progresses.