Pakistan women's ODI series against South Africa begins tomorrow

Karachi: Nida Dar-led Pakistan women’s side will aim to continue their good run in the ODI series against South Africa after clean sweeping the touring side 3-0 in the T20I series played at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi from 1 to 4 September.

The three one-day international matches—which are also a part of the ICC Women's Championship 2022–25—will be held at the National Bank Stadium on September 8, 11, and 14. Captain Nida Dar will be playing her 100th ODI in the opening match between the two teams, and she will be motivated to make it special.

Nida, an all-round player, has faced South Africa in 16 One-Day Internationals. In those 16 games, she has scored 246 runs, including three half-centuries, and has claimed 18 wickets, with 4-15 being her highest haul.

The three ODI games will be live-streamed on PTV Sports/PTV National in Pakistan. At 1500 PST, the toss will be conducted, and the first ball will be bowled at 1530 PST.

To encourage fans to come to the ground, affordable tickets prices have been fixed for the three championship matches. The tickets for the matches have been put on sale on bookme.pk. Additionally, physical tickets will be made available to fans on match days at the stadium’s box office.

All VIP enclosures of Fazal Mahmood, Hanif Mohammad and Javed Miandad will be open for spectators.

Pakistan, currently ranked fourth in the ICC Women’s Championship with 10 points from nine matches, will aim to get maximum points in the forthcoming ODI series. This will be Pakistan’s third ICC Women’s Championship series at home in just over a year. Last year, Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 2-1 in Karachi and later clean swept Ireland in a three-match ODI series in Lahore. In an away series against Australia in January this year, Pakistan women’s team lost 3-0.

On the other hand, South Africa, ranked ninth in the ICC Championship 2022-25, have played and won their only series in the ICC Women’s Championship till date, defeating Ireland 3-0. They are currently third in the ODI rankings, while the hosts are ranked 10th. South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt, who was named player of the series in the T20I series with 157 runs from three matches, will be looking to continue her rich vein of form in the ODIs.

Meanwhile, the home side will be banking on Sidra Amin, Fatima Sana and Ghulam Fatima, all of whom figure prominently in the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-2025 run-scoring and wicket-taking charts. Right-handed batter Sidra, till date has made 535 runs from nine ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 matches, occupying the second spot in batting charts. She was also among the runs in the three-match T20I series, scoring 133 runs at a strike-rate of 116.67.

In the bowling, right-arm fast Fatima Sana leads the ICC Women’s Championship table with 16 scalps from nine matches. 21-year-old Fatima will aim to significantly contribute to the team’s cause in front of the local crowd. Leg-spinner Ghulam Fatima, is also among the wickets for the home side. She has featured in six ICC Women’s Championship matches and has taken 12 wickets, including her maiden five-wicket haul against Ireland in the third ODI in Lahore last year.

In head-to-head encounters, Pakistan and South Africa have faced each other in 25 matches to date. South Africa have won 19 matches, while Pakistan have won in four outings. One match was tied, while one ended in a no-result.

Left-arm spinner Nashra Sundhu, who has bowled economically against South Africa in the T20I series and bagged four wickets said: “Our recent 3-0 victory in the T20I series against South Africa was a fantastic confidence booster for the team. We have been working tirelessly on our skills, and it's clear that our hard work is paying off.

“We are well aware that South Africa is a formidable opponent in the ODI format, and we are ready to face the challenge. Our goal is to put up strong performances and secure maximum points to solidify our position in the ICC Women's Championship standings.”

South Africa’s all-rounder Marizanne Kapp, who has bagged 17 wickets and scored 406 runs in 16 ODI matches against Pakistan said: “I like playing against Pakistan, and ODI cricket is my preferred format of choice. Even though I enjoy the shorter formats as well, I do believe that ODI cricket is my strongest format, so I look forward to the ODI series. I have had success against Pakistan, and hopefully, I can continue that in these conditions. We have seen in the T20I series that Pakistan looks like an all-new outfit they are playing, and it’s really good for women’s cricket.

“In all three T20I games, we weren’t able to finish games resulting in three close losses. We are a relatively younger side compared to what we had in the past, and I think in conditions like this, one needs a bit of experience to pull through.”

Pakistan ODI squad for South Africa series:

Nida Dar (c), Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Ghulam Fatima, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sundhu, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wk), Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhtar

ODI series Itinerary

8 Sep – First ODI v South Africa

11 Sep – Second ODI v South Africa

14 Sep – Third ODI v South Africa