Staff Reporter.
The Proteas women won the second ODI against Pakistan at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Friday, claiming the series with one match left to play.
Pakistan were bowled out for 287 in 44.4 overs to concede the three-match series 2-0 with the final game to come on Sunday.
Tazmin Brits finished with a magnificent, career-best 171 not out from just 141 balls – her sixth ODI century – while captain Laura Wolvaardt made exactly 100 from 129 balls with 10 fours displaying all of her characteristic, silky skills.
But the hosts mounted a scintillating response requiring 313 (DLS) to win with Sidra Amin posting a brilliant 122 from just 110 balls (13×4) and Natalia Pervaiz making 73 from 60 balls before the former missed a sweep against Chloe Tryon (10-0-55-2) and the latter was bowled by Nadine de Klerk (6.4-0-45-3).
Marizanne Kapp, as always, was at the forefront of the bowling attack with 2-37 from seven overs while De Klerk recovered from an expensive start to claim vital wickets which changed the course of the match.
Rain interrupted play after 41 overs with the Proteas on 238-0 and the match was reduced to 46 overs with Brits on 133 and Wolvaardt on 93.
Right hander Brits was unrelenting in her assault against the home team’s battery of four spinners striking 20 fours and four sixes during her second century in consecutive matches following her match-winning, unbeaten 101 in the first match of the series at the same venue on Tuesday in which Kapp also scored an unbeaten 120.
Pakistan’s bowlers, despite loading their attack with spinners, struggled on a flat surface, and their fielding lapses compounded the pressure.
The teams meet again on Sunday for the final ODI, with the Proteas already assured of the series.
Pakistan: Muneeba Ali, Omaima Sohail, Sidra Amin, Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana (captain), Natalia Pervaiz, Sidra Nawaz (wkt), Rameen Shamim, Diana Baig, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal
South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (captain), Tazmin Brits, Miane Smit, Marizanne Kapp, Nondumiso Shangase, Annerie Derckson, Karabo Meso (wkt), Nadine de Klerk, Chloe Tryon, Masabata Klaas, Tumi Sekhukhune.