Series: South Africa Women tour of Pakistan 2025-26
Match: 2nd ODI
Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Date: September 19, 2025
Result: South Africa Women won, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. ESPN Cricinfo

Match Summary

In a high-stakes second One-Day International, South Africa Women beat Pakistan Women to seal the series before the final match. The home side, Pakistan, batted first and managed a competitive total, but South Africa’s batters executed a strong chase to make it 2-0.

Pakistan’s Innings: Fighting Start but Missed Momentum

Pakistan’s innings was anchored by a brilliant century from Sidra Amin, who scored 122 runs. Her innings was full of grit, determination and showcased her ability to build partnerships.

Alongside Amin, Natalia Pervaiz played excellently, scoring 73 off 60 deliveries, adding vital runs in the middle overs.These two featured as the backbone of Pakistan’s innings, giving the team a strong platform. However, once they were dismissed, Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals, and acceleration in the death overs was limited.

Pakistan’s total, though competitive, lacked the extra 20-30 runs that might have made the chase for South Africa a more tense affair. The bowling by South Africa kept things tight in critical phases. Fielding, too, had moments of pressure on Pakistan, especially in managing partnerships.

South Africa’s Chase: Composure and Big Hits

South Africa Women chased the target with purpose and patience. They didn’t allow Pakistan’s bowlers to dominate early, and they built steady partnerships. Tazmin Brits produced a stellar display, scoring an unbeaten 171* to steer her side across the line.

Brits’ innings was a blend of power and timing — boundary hitting when required, rotating strike under pressure, and staying calm when the run rate threatened to creep up. She carried her bat through the chase, showing maturity and reading the pitch well.

Support came from other South African batters who did not allow Pakistan to get back into the game with quick wickets. South Africa’s pacing of the innings—with acceleration in the middle and finishing strong—was much better.

Bowling & Fielding: Key Spells and Turning Points

• South Africa’s bowlers: They were disciplined. After the initial onslaught from Pakistan’s top order, they slowed things down, especially in the middle overs. Their bowlers picked up the crucial wickets of Sidra Amin and Natalia Pervaiz, which derailed Pakistan’s momentum.

• Pakistan’s bowling: Faced with a strong chase, Pakistan couldn’t find consistent breakthroughs. The lack of penetration at certain times allowed South Africa’s batters to settle. Some tight overs came, but they were not enough.

Fielding was mixed. South Africa were sharp in the field—supporting their bowlers with good stops and building pressure. Pakistan had moments of brilliance but also lapses which cost them in margins when wickets were needed.

Turning Points

1. Sidra Amin’s dismissal: When Amin fell, Pakistan lost their anchor, and though Natalia Pervaiz was batting well, the batting depth didn’t quite match up in terms of big contributions when needed.

2. Brits’ Unbeaten Knock of 171*: This was the match-winning knock. It silenced any hopes Pakistan might have had of mounting a late pressure.

3. South Africa’s middle overs: Their control in middle overs prevented Pakistan from accelerating enough and kept the required run rate manageable for themselves.

4. Late overs momentum: South Africa finished strongly. Their superior batting in the death overs ensured that they didn’t leave anything for a nerve-racking finish.

Player Performances & Standouts

• Player of the Match: Tazmin Brits – An unbeaten 171* under pressure, managing the chase with poise and big hits when needed. Her innings was central to South Africa’s win.

• Sidra Amin – A superb hundred (122) for Pakistan. She showed technical skill, mental toughness, and played a great match even though the result didn’t go her team’s way.

• Natalia Pervaiz – Good supporting role, made her runs count when the team needed stability.

• Other South Africa batters and bowlers who chipped in to maintain pressure or expedite the chase also deserve credit.

What This Means for Both Teams

• For South Africa: The win confirms their dominance in this series. They can go into the final ODI without pressure. It also builds confidence in their ability to chase and close out matches. Their batting line-up, especially with someone like Brits in form, looks strong.

• For Pakistan: Although the series is now out of reach, this match showed potential. The centuries and big scores are positive signs. They need to work on finishing their innings better, maintain momentum after early partnerships, and be sharper with clutch bowling.

This match will also serve as experience—they saw what good chase discipline looks like and how momentum shifts can decide the outcome. For tournaments ahead, they’ll want to take lessons from this.

Analysis & Lessons Learned

• Depth in batting matters: Relying on two top batters isn’t enough if middle and lower order can’t deliver in finishing overs.

• Mental pacing of chase: South Africa illustrated how to construct a chase—don’t get overwhelmed early, keep composure, and use partnerships.

• Bowling under pressure: Effective death overs and special spells make big difference. Pakistan could improve in hitting the right areas when the game demands wickets.

• Fielding support: Cricket margins in ODIs are often small. Good fielding can save or cost 10-20 runs, which can be decisive.

Final Thoughts

The second ODI between Pakistan Women and South Africa Women was a display of high-quality women’s cricket. While Pakistan showed promise, especially through Sidra Amin and Natalia Pervaiz, South Africa proved more clinical when it mattered—especially with their chase led by Brits.

For fans, this match was a contrast of resolve, skill, and composure. For Pakistan, it’s a chance to regroup, reflect, and improve; for South Africa, it’s confidence and momentum as they head into the final game.

If you like, I can also pull up detailed stats like wagon wheels, over-by-over scoring trends, or player rating breakdowns. Do you want that?

Match Highlights: