This week, the Pakistan Women’s cricket team is in South Africa for a quickfire T20 series. The three matches take place over six days, and this tour consists entirely of white-ball cricket.
After the T20s in Potchefstroom, Benoni, and Kimberley, the tour moves on to ODIs. Those three matches are scheduled from February 22 through March 1 in Bloemfontein, Centurion, and Durban.
Here is a look ahead at the contest.
South Africa vs Pakistan Venue: JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom
South Africa vs Pakistan Date: Tuesday, February 10
South Africa vs Pakistan Odds:
History
South Africa has played three series since losing the 2024 T20 World Cup final to New Zealand in Dubai. The next edition of that competition takes place in England and Wales this coming June, so we are approaching a critical point in the preparation for an event that South Africa will be expecting to challenge for the trophy.
Those three series saw South Africa whitewashed by England, which was followed by a defeat at the hands of the West Indies in the Caribbean. South Africa trounced Ireland 2-0 in their last three-match series, and this clash with Pakistan is one they expect to dominate.
These two sides are both in Group A of the 2026 T20 World Cup, so laying down a marker will be important. Pakistan is in wretched form, having won just six of 22 matches in the format since the beginning of 2024.
There is talent on the team, but the chemistry is something the Pakistanis just cannot seem to get right against the world’s better teams.
South Africa
Laura Wolvaart averages over 41 runs per innings in this format, and her three fifties and two centuries show that with the right conditions, she can explode for a big score. She is the 49/20 favorite to be the best bat on display.
A playerto consider for Player of the Match is Nadine de Klerk. She is 21/2 in that market, but her ability as an all-rounder strengthens her case. She scored 133 runs in six innings and took 16 wickets in the WPL this year.
Pakistan
Looking at the Pakistani team, Muneeba Ali is the favorite to be the top batter at 13/5. This makes sense, as she is the leading run scorer for her country since the start of 2024, striking at 113.27 with an average of just under 29 per innings.
Best Bets
Pakistan has the edge in this series of late, but they are big underdogs here. They have won three of the last five meetings against South Africa, but their form isn’t nearly good enough to justify betting on them to take a win in the first match of the tour.
This is a ground that favors the chasing side and spin bowling. The chasers have won two-thirds of the matches at the venue, so keep that in mind if you are going to make a play in-game.
Wolvaardt is such a presence for this South African side that I am running with her to be the top bat. She also has a shot at player of the match at 49/10 if she really hits her stride.
