Nadine de Klerk's all-round show helps South Africa seal ODI series against Pakistan

Pakistan Women and South Africa Women locked horns in the second ODI of the three-match series on Monday, September 11 at National Stadium, Karachi. Being 0-1 behind in the series, Pakistan captain Nida Dar won the toss and elected to bat first. However, the decision didn’t prove to be right as opener Muneeba Ali (4 off 24) was dismissed by Nadine de Klerk in the eighth over with just 12 runs on the board. Sadaf Shamas walked in at number 3 but got dismissed for a golden duck by Klerk.

The right-arm seamer further accounted for Sidra Ameen to give third blow to Pakistan in the tenth over with just 20 runs on the board. The matters got worse for the home side as Bismah Maroof (4 off 19), captain Nida Dar (5 off 9) and Sidra Nawaz (7 off 12) departed cheaply leaving their team reeling at 49/6 after 17.4 overs.

Seeing their team in disarray, Aliya Riaz (53 off 86) and Fatima Sana (69 off 87) got involved in a crucial 114-run stand for the seventh wicket off 158 balls to help their team cross the 150-run mark. However, after both were dismissed, no other batter could do much as Pakistan were bundled out for 168 in 44.2 overs. Nadine de Klerk (4/32, 8 overs), Masabata Klaas (3/14, 6.2 overs) were the pick of the bowlers for South Africa.

Nadine de Klerk scored a crucial 29 (28)

In reply, South Africa got off to a steady start by their openers Laura Woolvardt (13 off 23) and Tazmin Brits (45 off 54) with the duo adding 41 runs for the first wicket. Sadia Iqbal got the first strike for Pakistan in the seventh over as she dismissed Woolvardt. Laura Goodall walked in at number three and played a good knock of 36 (53) to help her team cross 100.

South Africa were 115/4 after 25.3 overs when Marizanne Kapp (29 off 28) and Nadine de Klerk (24 off 30) got together at the crease. The duo got involved in an unbeaten 54-run stand for the fifth wicket and took their side home. As a result, South Africa chased down the target of 169 in 34 overs and won the match by six wickets.