South Africa Women delivered a powerful performance to defeat Pakistan Women by 150 runs (DLS method) in Match 22 of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Tuesday, October 21. Captain Laura Wolvaardt led from the front with a brilliant 90, while Marizanne Kapp’s unbeaten 68 and Sune Luus’s 61 powered South Africa to their highest-ever World Cup total of 312/9 in 40 overs. Pakistan struggled badly in their chase, managing only 83/7 in 20 overs against a revised DLS target of 234 runs, as Marizanne Kapp’s bowling destroyed their top order with three wickets.
Sources: ICC Official Website, ESPNcricinfo
Scorecard
| Team | Score | Overs | Wickets | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa Women | 312/9 | 40/40 | 9 | Won by 150 runs (DLS) |
| Pakistan Women | 83/7 | 20/20 | 7 | Target: 234 runs |
Top Performers
| Player | Team | Role | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laura Wolvaardt | South Africa | Batter | 90 runs off 82 balls (10 fours, 2 sixes) |
| Marizanne Kapp | South Africa | All-rounder | 68* off 43 balls; 3/20 in 5 overs |
| Sune Luus | South Africa | Batter | 61 runs off 59 balls (8 fours, 2 sixes) |
| Nadine de Klerk | South Africa | All-rounder | 41 off 16 balls (3 fours, 4 sixes) |
| Nashra Sandhu | Pakistan | Bowler | 3/45 in 8 overs |
| Sadia Iqbal | Pakistan | Bowler | 3/63 in 8 overs |
Key Moments
- Early Setback: Pakistan captain Fatima Sana won the toss and chose to bowl, dismissing Tazmin Brits for a duck in the second over.
- Rain Delays: The match was interrupted multiple times by rain and eventually reduced to 40 overs per side.
- Wolvaardt-Luus Partnership: After play resumed, Wolvaardt and Luus added a crucial 118-run partnership for the second wicket to rebuild South Africa’s innings.
- Late Fireworks: Marizanne Kapp and Nadine de Klerk unleashed a brutal late assault, adding 52 runs for the seventh wicket in quick time. De Klerk hammered 41 off just 16 balls with three boundaries and four towering sixes.
- Record-Breaking Total: South Africa’s 312/9 became their highest-ever total in Women’s World Cup history, featuring 11 sixes – the most by any team in the ongoing tournament.
- Pakistan Collapse: Chasing a DLS-adjusted target of 306 (later revised to 234 in 20 overs), Pakistan lost four early wickets. Ayabonga Khaka struck in her first over, while Marizanne Kapp trapped Omaima Sohail LBW and removed both Sidra Amin and Aliya Riaz.
- Dominant Victory: Pakistan could only manage 83/7 in their allocated 20 overs, falling 151 runs short of the revised target.
Match Analysis
South Africa, who have already qualified for the semi-finals with four consecutive wins, maintained their winning momentum despite the challenging weather conditions. Their batting lineup showed remarkable depth and power, with contributions throughout the order.
The turning point came when Kapp and de Klerk combined for their explosive partnership. De Klerk’s incredible strike rate of 256.25 propelled South Africa past the 300-run mark and set an intimidating target for Pakistan.
For Pakistan, the bowling attack of Nashra Sandhu and Sadia Iqbal tried their best, taking three wickets each, but the total proved too much. Pakistan’s fielding performance left much to be desired, with several dropped catches and misfields costing them dearly.
In the chase, Pakistan never recovered from the early blows dealt by South Africa’s bowlers. Marizanne Kapp’s three-wicket haul and Ayabonga Khaka’s early breakthrough left Pakistan with no hope of reaching the revised target.
What’s Next?
South Africa, currently sitting third in the standings, will look to maintain their momentum as they eye a top-two finish in the group stage. Their next match is against Australia on October 26, which could determine their seeding for the semi-finals.
Pakistan, who have two points and sit at the bottom of the eight-team points table with three losses and two washed-out matches, face an uphill battle. They will need to win their remaining matches against Sri Lanka to end their tournament on a positive note.
Match Officials:
- Umpires: Eloise Sheridan (Australia), N Janani (India)
- TV Umpire: Vrinda Rathi (India)
- Match Referee: GS Lakshmi (India)
Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sources: ESPNcricinfo, ICC Official Website, Dawn.com