South Africa Women Seal Series with Tazmin Brits’ Brilliance

In a thrilling clash at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on September 19, 2025, South Africa Women clinched an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against Pakistan Women, winning by 25 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method. Tazmin Brits’ unbeaten 171 and Laura Wolvaardt’s century powered South Africa to a daunting 292-3, setting a revised 313-run target after rain. Despite Sidra Amin’s heroic 122 and Natalia Parvaiz’s fiery 73, Pakistan fell short at 287 all out.

A South African Masterclass:

South Africa’s openers, Tazmin Brits and Laura Wolvaardt, set the tone with a jaw-dropping 260-run partnership—the highest in South Africa Women’s ODI history. After Pakistan opted to bowl, the duo started steadily, reaching 58-0 in 10 overs and 100-0 by the 20th. Brits, fresh off a century in the first ODI, was unstoppable, smashing 171* off 141 balls with 20 fours and four sixes. Wolvaardt’s 129-ball 100 added elegance, though she fell right after her milestone, caught off Diana Baig’s bowling.

Rain trimmed the game to 46 overs, but South Africa didn’t slow down. Even after losing Nadine de Klerk (0) and Annerie Dercksen (3) quickly, Brits anchored the innings to 292-3. Diana Baig was Pakistan’s standout bowler with 2-45, but the total felt mountainous. Social media buzzed with fans calling Brits’ knock “a batting clinic,” cementing her as Player of the Match.

Pakistan’s Valiant Chase:

Chasing a DLS-adjusted 313, Pakistan’s innings stumbled early when Muneeba Ali (1) was trapped lbw in the third over, leaving them at 5-1. Enter Omaima Sohail, back in the side, who sparked hope with a brisk 43 off 38 balls, including seven boundaries, alongside Sidra Amin. Their 57-run stand gave Pakistan momentum, but Sohail’s dismissal at 62-2 slowed things down.

Sidra Amin then took charge, forming a stunning 146-run partnership with Natalia Parvaiz. Sidra’s 122 off 110 balls—her sixth ODI century—was a masterclass, featuring 13 boundaries. Natalia’s maiden ODI fifty (73 off 60) kept the crowd roaring as Pakistan hit 150 by the 28th over and 200 by the 33rd. Fans on X called it “Pakistan’s fightback of the year.”

But South Africa’s bowlers struck back. Sidra fell in the 38th over, and the collapse began. Captain Fatima Sana (5), Natalia, and Diana Baig (0) departed in quick succession, leaving Pakistan at 269-5. With 29 needed off 14 balls, Sidra Nawaz (2) and Nashra Sundhu (0) couldn’t hold on, and Rameen Shamim’s 12 was too little, too late. Nadine de Klerk (3-45), Marizanne Kapp (2-37), and Chloe Tryon (2-55) sealed Pakistan’s fate at 287.

• South Africa’s Record Stand: Brits and Wolvaardt’s 260-run opening partnership overwhelmed Pakistan’s bowlers, setting a near-impossible target.
• Rain and DLS Drama: The rain break and revised 313-run target tilted the scales, testing Pakistan’s batting depth.
• Sidra-Natalia Heroics: Their 146-run stand kept Pakistan in the hunt, but the late collapse proved costly.
• South Africa’s Bowling Edge: Kapp and de Klerk’s disciplined spells turned the tide when Pakistan needed 66 off eight overs.

With the series secured, South Africa head into the final ODI on September 22 at Gaddafi Stadium as favorites. Their batting firepower, led by Brits and Wolvaardt, has been unmatched, and their bowlers have delivered under pressure. For Pakistan, the focus is pride and preparation. Sidra Amin’s form is a bright spot, and Natalia’s emergence adds depth, but they’ll need tighter bowling and fewer collapses to challenge in the dead rubber. Coach Misbah-ul-Haq hinted at experimenting with the XI to test bench strength, per local media.

This wasn’t just a game—it was a showcase of women’s cricket growing in Pakistan. The electric Lahore crowd and X posts praising Sidra’s grit show the sport’s rising popularity. For South Africa, it’s a statement of dominance as they gear up for global tournaments. The series, though decided, still has one match left to keep fans glued.