This week, the Pakistan Women’s cricket team is in South Africa for a quickfire ODI series. The three matches take place over seven days, and this tour consists entirely of white-ball cricket.
The first match in the series will be played at Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein. The second match is at Centurian Park in Centurian on Wednesday, while the third is at Kingsmead in Durban next Sunday.
Here is a look ahead at the contest.
South Africa vs Pakistan Venue: Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein
South Africa vs Pakistan Date: Sunday, February 22
South Africa vs Pakistan Odds:
History
South Africa claimed a win in the T20 series that immediately preceded these ODIs.
The Proteas won the first two matches, with the first coming down to a thrilling final ball six from Kayla Reyneke to snatch victory, and the second coming down to the final balls of the Indian chase, with the tourists falling five runs short of victory.
It came as no surprise that Pakistan was able to rally in the third ToI, though the margin of victory was impressive. Pakistan scored 144 runs from their 20 overs, with the impressive Fatima Sana knocking for an unbeaten 47. South Africa never got going in their reply, being skittled for just 91 and losing by 53 runs.
These results have set up this ODI series nicely.
South Africa
South Africa will be without a key cog in the machine for this series, as all-rounder Marizanne Kapp will miss all three games due to illness. Kapp felt under the weather after completing her overs during the final T20I, and team doctors have decided to rest her just in case.
As always in sport, a key player’s absence opens the door for a new player to step forward. Fay Cowling has been named as Kapp’s replacement, with the former SA U19 Women’s star earning her first call-up to the full international squad.
Pakistan
Sana has been the star for Pakistan in this series and will be looking to make her presence felt in the 50-over format.
She went for that 47 in match three from the No. 7 spot in the order, and that wasn’t even close to her best effort of the series. In match one, Sana came in at No. 8 and stole the show. She hit 90 off of just 41 balls, crushing nine fours and seven sixes in an astonishing display of power and accuracy. Pakistan’s captain has been every bet the role model her team has needed so far this tour; the team just has to find a way to give her more support.
Best Bets
Sana is 6/1 to be the top bowler and21/2 to be Pakistan’s best bat. Given the way their openers have continually struggled in South Africa, it is not completely wild to think she could once again be the pick of the bunch.
Laura Woolvardt top-scored for South Africa in two of the first three matches but was Player of the Match in neither. She is 79/20 to take that honor at the weekend, and given how she has played against the Pakistan bowlers, she is worth a flutter.
