South Africa faces Pakistan on Tuesday knownig that a win will keep alive their chances of finishing in the top two places of the Group Stage log at the 2025 ODI Women’s World Cup.
While nothing is guarenteed in sport, the Proteas will fancy theri chances against a Pakistan side that is bottom of the log and that hasn’t finished a game since getting run over by Australia in Colombo on October 8.
Here is a look ahead at the contest.
South Africa VS Pakistan Venue: R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
South Africa VS Pakistan Date: Tuesday, October 21
South Africa VS Pakistan Odds:
History
South Africa is rolling. The roteas have won four on the bounce, with their victory over joint hosts Sri Lanka last time out being their most dominat win to date.
Their 10 wicket win via the DLS Method in a match distupted by the weather further shows the batting power that this team has. In a match reduced to 20 overs because of the rain, South Africa attacked it like a T20.
Chasing a target of 121 to win, Laura Wolvaardt went off with 60 runs from 47 balls, while Tazmin Brits hit 55 off of 42. The fact that the two openers are both rounding into form at the same time should scare possible opponents in the semi-finals.
Pakistan’s last two matches have been rained out. They were playing well against England, but were struggiling against New Zealand at 92/5 when play was called. Their two points in the table have come from those two matches with no result, and they have lost all three matches that went to completion.
South Africa
Pakistan’s draw agianst New Zealand meant that South Africa are through to the semi-finals of this tournament. That makes this matchup important for the Neet Run Rate, while it will also act as a primier for the Proteas final, and crucial, group match against unbeaten Australia.
The batting gets most of the attention, but Nonkululeko Mlaba has been exceptional with the ball this year. She has ttaken 26 wickets in 13 matches, giving up less than 20 runs per wicket. She was also locked in against Sri Lanka, another sign that this squad is finding form at the right time.
Pakistan
The issues for Pakistan this tournmanet have been with their batters. This is a squad that has been decent with the ball, but outside of Sidra Amin, none of their players are putting up run numbers to keep them alive in matches.
Fatima Sana has 21 wickets in 12 games, while Nashra Sandhu has form playing on this wicket and has a left arm spin that will cause problems.
Best Bets
Sidra is 11/5 to be the top Pakistani batter and given the lack of form around her, she is worth a punt. It is a little more muddled for South Africa. Wolvaardt is 7/4, Brits 11/4, and Marizanne Kapp is 9/2. Even Nadine de Klerk at 19/2 has had her moments in this tournament. I expect South Africa to win, and win big, so taking one of the two star openers feels like the right move.
