In a thrilling display of batting prowess that lit up the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, South Africa Women kicked off their three-match ODI series against Pakistan Women with a commanding eight-wicket victory on September 16, 2025. What started as a competitive chase turned into a masterclass in partnerships, as Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp forged an unbeaten 216-run stand—the third-highest in South African women’s ODI history—to overhaul Pakistan’s 256-run target with 10 balls to spare.
Pakistan’s Solid Start:
Opting to bat first under partly cloudy skies, Pakistan Women aimed to leverage home advantage at the batsman-friendly Gaddafi Stadium pitch, known for its flat surface and true bounce that favors stroke-makers. But an early setback struck in the second over when opener Shawaal Zulfiqar fell for a duck, leaving the scoreboard at 3-1 and testing the hosts’ resolve.
Enter the resilient duo of Muneeba Ali and Sidra Amin, who scripted a masterful 147-run second-wicket partnership—Pakistan’s highest ever for that wicket and the third-highest in women’s ODI history overall. This stand rescued the innings, pushing the score past 100 by the 21st over and reaching 150 by the 31st, showcasing Pakistan’s top-order grit amid their unbeaten run in the 2025 World Cup Qualifier where they won all five matches. Muneeba, anchoring with poise, notched her fifth ODI half-century before departing for a classy 76 off 94 balls, featuring 11 boundaries that delighted the home crowd.
Sidra Amin then took center stage, joining forces with Aliya Riaz for a crucial 68-run alliance off 71 deliveries. Riaz’s brisk 33 off 34 balls, including five fours, added momentum before her dismissal in the 43rd over. Amin, undeterred, reached her fifth ODI century with a delicate dab to long-on, finishing unbeaten on a superb 121 from 12 fours—her highest score in the format and a testament to her form after amassing 225 runs in the Qualifier. Pakistan closed at 255-4 in 50 overs, a total that looked defendable on a pitch assisting batters.
South Africa’s bowlers, led by Ayabonga Khaka’s economical 2-36 from nine overs, kept things tight. Khaka’s early strikes on the top order disrupted flow, while Tumi Sekhukhune chipped in with 1-37. Marizanne Kapp, ever the all-rounder, bowled seven overs for just 20 runs (economy 2.85), underlining her value in containing the middle order.
South Africa’s Chase:
Chasing 256, South Africa Women faced an immediate hiccup when captain Laura Wolvaardt was clean-bowled by left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu for just 4 in the second over, setting the tone for a potential early collapse at 10-1. Tazmin Brits, the Proteas’ leading run-scorer in 2025 with 371 runs across seven ODIs, joined Sune Luus to steady the ship. The pair added 38 runs before Luus fell LBW to Rameen Shamim for 30, leaving South Africa at 43-2 in the 10th over.
This is where the magic unfolded. Enter Marizanne Kapp at No. 4, and what followed was a clinical demolition. The experienced all-rounder, with a career spanning over 100 ODIs and a reputation for match-winning knocks (including a record 150 in a Test against India in 2022), partnered with Brits for an unbeaten 216-run third-wicket stand that silenced doubters. Brits, reaching her fifth ODI century, remained not out on 101 off 121 balls (9 fours), showcasing her consistency after a breakout year that included a career-best 98* against West Indies in June 2025.
Kapp, stealing the spotlight, bludgeoned her way to an unbeaten 121 off 128 balls—her third ODI ton—laced with 13 fours and two sixes. Her aggressive stroke-play, combined with sharp running between wickets, dismantled Pakistan’s attack, including Rameen Shamim (1-29) and Sadia Iqbal (1 wicket). The duo’s partnership not only erased the target but also marked South Africa’s third-highest in women’s ODIs, a record that speaks volumes about their depth despite a 2025 form line of just three wins in seven outings. South Africa reached 259-2 in 48.2 overs, with Kapp rightfully earning Player of the Match honors for her all-round impact.
From a tactical angle, this chase highlighted South Africa’s adaptability to spin-friendly conditions in Lahore—a key focus for their World Cup prep, where they’ll face England, New Zealand, and India in spin-heavy venues. Pakistan’s bowlers, despite their Qualifier success, struggled to break the partnership, exposing areas for improvement like variations on a flat track.
The Dynamic Duo Driving Proteas’ Revival
Tazmin Brits’ ascent has been meteoric. The 34-year-old opener, with over 900 ODI runs at an average of 45 (including one century before this), has been South Africa’s batting mainstay in 2025. Her unbeaten 101 here adds to a season tally pushing 500 runs, positioning her as a linchpin for the World Cup squad announced on September 3, featuring Wolvaardt (c), Khaka, Tryon, and rookies like Karabo Meso.
Marizanne Kapp, the 35-year-old veteran, continues to defy age. With 167 ODI wickets at 24.47 average and iconic knocks like her 102* at the 2013 World Cup, Kapp’s all-round brilliance (bowling frugally and batting aggressively) earned her a spot in the ICC Women’s ODI Team of the Year multiple times. Her 121* not only won the match but also her third POTM award in recent series, underscoring her clutch factor.
On the Pakistan side, Sidra Amin’s 121* was a silver lining, building on her Qualifier form, while Muneeba Ali’s 76 showed promise. However, the hosts’ inability to capitalize on early wickets could be a concern for captain Fatima Sana, who emphasized this series as “crucial” for World Cup fine-tuning against Bangladesh on October 2.
World Cup Stakes
This series is more than bilateral rivalry—it’s a dress rehearsal for the 2025 Women’s World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. South Africa, semi-finalists in 2022, enter with a 75% head-to-head win rate over Pakistan (21-7 in 28 ODIs) but aim to address inconsistencies after a 3-4 ODI record in 2025. Their recent training camp in Durban honed spin play, vital for subcontinental conditions. Pakistan, ranked 8th with 78 rating points, rides high from Qualifier dominance but faces a historical uphill battle, having lost 2-1 to South Africa in Pakistan in 2023.
The win sends a strong message: South Africa’s middle order, led by Brits and Kapp, is firing, potentially challenging favorites like Australia and England. For Pakistan, it’s a wake-up call to bolster bowling variations at home.
Series Schedule
The series continues with the second ODI on September 19 at Gaddafi Stadium (3:30 PM PKT start), followed by the decider on September 22. All matches are crucial for rankings and World Cup momentum. In India, no TV broadcast but stream on Sports TV YouTube; Pakistan via PTV Sports and Tamasha app; South Africa on SuperSport.
Scores in brief: Pakistan 255-4 (50 overs) (Sidra Amin 121*, Muneeba Ali 76, Aliya Riaz 33; Ayabonga Khaka 2-36) South Africa 259-2 (48.2 overs) (Marizanne Kapp 121*, Tazmin Brits 101*, Sune Luus 30; Rameen Shamim 1-29) Player of the Match: Marizanne Kapp (South Africa)
