Tag: South Africa

GUWAHATI: Linsey Smith’s three-wicket haul helped England women rout South Africa women in the fourth match of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, giving them a flying start to their campaign here at Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Set a meagre 70-run target, England romped to victory by 10 wickets in 14.1 overs.

After a miserable batting display, the Proteas had little to celebrate with the ball either. England’s openers wrapped up the chase with ease, as Tammy Beaumont struck three fours in her 21* from 35 balls, while Amy Jones’ score of 40* off 50 deliveries was laced with six fours.

Earlier, the four-time World Cup champions capitalized on the decision to field first and bowled out South Africa for just 69 runs in 20 overs. This was Proteas’ second-lowest total in the marquee event.

Notably, South Africa’s previous lowest total in a World Cup match also came against England in Cuttack, back in 2013.

Linsey Smith made early inroads with the new ball and tore through the Proteas top order. She removed Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits in the second and fourth over, respectively, both batters being dismissed for five runs.

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After losing early wickets, South Africa could not arrest the slide and were further dented by regular dismissals. Following Smith’s spell, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Lauren Bell chipped in with the ball and broke the backbone of South Africa’s batting lineup.

Sinalo Jafta top-scored for South Africa with 22 from 36 balls with the aid of three fours in an otherwise shambolic batting display.

In England’s all-round bowling display, Linsey Smith stood tall and was excellent with the ball, picking up three wickets in her four overs while giving away just seven. Nat Sciver-Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, and Charlie Dean bagged two wickets each.

READ: Zimbabwe seal Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 berth with win over Kenya

LAHORE: The Pakistan team’s training camp commenced in the provincial capital ahead of the forthcoming two-match Test series against South Africa, scheduled to begin on October 12.

The training session started under the supervision of the interim red-ball head coach, Azhar Mahmood, and National Cricket Academy (NCA) coaches.

During the practice session, national cricketers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan batted in the nets. Left-arm wrist spinner Faisal Akram and off-spinner Sajid also bowled.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) shared the video on its social media handles.

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Earlier in the day, PCB announced an expanded 18-member squad for the forthcoming two-Test series at home against South Africa.

The squad includes three uncapped players: 38-year-old Asif Afridi, wicket-keeper batter Rohail Nazir, and left-arm wrist spinner Faisal Akram.

Notably, the expanded squad will be trimmed ahead of the first Test.

Shan Masood will continue to lead the side, while the Asia Cup returnees Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Salman Agha, and Shaheen Shah Afridi will join the training camp on October 4.

The opening match of the series will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, marking the beginning of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 for Pakistan and South Africa.

The second Test will commence in Rawalpindi from October 20, followed by three T20Is and three ODIs.

READ: Three uncapped players named in Pakistan squad for South Africa Tests

LAHORE: Pakistan have announced an 18-member expanded squad for the forthcoming two-Test series at home against South Africa, set to begin on October 12 here at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium Lahore.

The uncapped players in the squad are 38-year-old Asif Afridi, wicket-keeper batter Rohail Nazir, and left-arm wrist spinner Faisal Akram. Notably, the expanded squad will be trimmed ahead of the first Test.

Shan Masood will continue to lead the side, while the players who participated in the Asia Cup will join the training camp, which will run under the supervision of red-ball head coach Azhar Mahmood and NCA coaches.

The camp will begin today and conclude on October 8, with the Asia Cup returnees Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Salman Agha and Shaheen Shah Afridi, will joining on October 4.

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Among the notable omissions is fast bowler Naseem Shah. The fast bowling lineup comprises Khurram Shehzad, Shaheen Afridi, Aamir Jamal, and Hasan Ali.

In batting lineup, Pakistan will rely on regulars, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Saud Shakeel, alongside captain Shan Masood.

The second Test will commence in Rawalpindi from October 20, followed by three T20Is and three ODIs.

South Africa speedster Kagiso Rabada heaped high praise on Pakistan ace batter Babar Azam, describing him as a ‘rock’ in the team’s batting lineup.

Appearing on a ‘Beard Before Podcast’, co-hosted by England’s Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid, Rabada reflected on his cricketing career and different aspects of the game.

Speaking about the toughest batters to bowl at, Rabada singled out Babar’s resilience and grit.

“Babar Azam is a rock, especially in Pakistan. It’s like, ‘man, how do you get this guy out? ‘” stated Rabada.

The right-arm pacer has dismissed Babar Azam four times in international cricket, with three of those wickets coming in Tests and one in ODIs.

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Moreover, despite having success against former Australia opener David Warner, the pacer named him as the toughest batter to bowl at, emphasizing his unique batting ability.

“I actually found David Warner quite tough to bowl to. I think he’s the hardest because he was so unorthodox. He used to cut a lot of balls, and whenever I dropped my length short, he would just latch onto it and cut,” said Rabada.

“He was the only guy who could do that against me. He was very hard. As much as I had a lot of success against him, I thought he was very tough to bowl to,” Rabada remarked.

The 30-year-old also picked the Fab four: India’s Virat Kohli, England’s Joe Root, Australia’s Steve Smith, and New Zealand’s Kane Williamson as the most difficult batters to bowl at.

READ: ‘This will haunt them for years’: Shoaib Malik on India’s refusal to accept trophy

South Africa have forfeited a 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho for fielding an ineligible player, world football governing body FIFA announced on Monday.

South Africa’s 2-0 victory on March 21 in Polokwane has been replaced with a 3-0 defeat, meaning they drop to second place in Group C of the African qualifiers, behind Benin on goal difference, while Lesotho remain fifth.

South Africa violated Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code by playing Teboho Mokoena after the midfielder had accumulated two yellow cards against Benin and then Zimbabwe, the football body’s disciplinary committee said.

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The South African FA, which has still 10 days to appeal the decision, must also pay a fine of 10,000 Swiss francs ($12,536).

The ruling offers a lifeline to Nigeria and Rwanda of reaching the finals, with both teams now only three points behind South Africa.

Only the nine group winners qualify automatically for next year’s World Cup. The four best runners-up will advance to play-offs, which could secure Africa a 10th spot in the finals.

For context, the FIFA 2026 World Cup will be historic as 48 teams will participate for the first time, expanding from 32 teams, and will be played across three countries in North America: the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

READ: Alzarri Joseph ruled out of India tour, Holder declines selection

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday held a meeting with Test team captain Shan Masood and acting red-ball head coach Azhar Mahmood ahead of the Test series against South Africa.

During the meeting, preparations for the Test series against South Africa were discussed, in which Mohsin Naqvi assured Shan Masood and Azhar Mahmood that they would have a free hand regarding the Test team.

“My full support is with you for the Test series against South Africa,” said the PCB chairman.

For context, South Africa will tour Pakistan to play two tests, three T20Is, and three ODIs. The Proteas will begin their World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-2027 title defense with the opening Test at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, set to start in October.

The second Test of the series is scheduled to take place in Rawalpindi from October 20.

South Africa tour to Pakistan

12-16 October – First Test at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

20-24 October – Second Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

28 October – First T20I at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

31 October – Second T20I at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

1 November – Third T20I at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

4 November – First ODI at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad

6 November – Second ODI at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad

8 November – Third ODI at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad

SOUTH AFRICA SQUADS FOR PAKISTAN TOUR:

Tests: Aiden Markram (c), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj (second Test only), Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen and Kyle Verreynne.

T20Is: David Miller (c), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Andile Simelane and Lizaad Williams.

ODIs: Matthew Breetzke (c), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuin, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Sinethemba Qeshile.

READ: Former cricket umpire Harold ‘Dickie’ Bird dies aged 92

LAHORE: Pakistan left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu broke former captain Sana Mir’s long-standing record against South Africa to register the second-best bowling figures in a Women’s One Day International (ODI).

Sandhu tormented the South Africa women’s batting lineup in the final ODI of the three-match series, claiming a six-wicket haul that bundled out the visitors for 115 runs in only 25.5 overs.

The record for best bowling figures in an innings is held by Sajida Shah, who took seven wickets for just four runs against Japan in 2003.

Best bowling figures in an innings for Pakistan in WODIS

Sajjida Shah 7/4 vs Japan Women  in 2003

Nashra Sandhu 6/26 vs South Africa Women in 2025*

Sana Mir – 5/32 vs Netherlands Women in 2010

Moreover, Nashra Sandhu also reached the milestone of reaching 100 wickets in ODIs for Pakistan. She became the third player to reach the landmark for Green Shirts.

Most Wickets for Pakistan in WODIS

Sana Mir 120 matches 151 wickets

Nida Dar 112 matches 108 wickets

Nashra Sandhu* 74 104 wickets

At the time of filing this story, Pakistan were 48-1 in 16.3 overs with Sidra Amin and Muneeba Ali at the crease.

Playing XIs:

Pakistan Women: Fatima Sana (c), Muneeba Ali, Eyman Fatima, Sidra Amin, Natalia Pervaiz, Syed Aroob Shah, Rameen Shamim, Nashra Sandhu, Diana Baig, Omaima Sohail, Sidra Nawaz

South Africa Women: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Karabo Meso, Sune Luus, Miane Smit, Anneke Bosch, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Nonkululeko Mlaba

READ: Nashra Sandhu’s six-fer skittles South Africa for 115

LAHORE: Left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu’s six-wicket haul, followed by a composed half-century from Sidra Amin, sealed a consolatory win for Pakistan women against South Africa women in the final ODI of the three-match series here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Monday.

Despite a dominant win, South Africa clinched the series 2-1 ahead of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, set to begin at the end of this month.

Pakistan chased down the 116-run target on the loss of four wickets with 114 balls remaining. The girls in Green cruised to victory without any major hiccups, with Sidra Amin continuing her rich vein of form.

After losing the opener Omaima Sohail for a nought in the second over, Sidra Amin and Muneeba Ali paired up for a 65-run stand, which steadied Pakistan in the chase.

The stand culminated in the 22nd over as Muneeba departed for a well-made 44 from 76 balls, laced with six boundaries. South Africa struck again on the third ball of the over, removing skipper Fatima Sana for a duck, which reduced Pakistan to 66-3.

Yet, Sidra held firm and kept the score ticking alongside Natalia Pervaiz, who made 14 from 10 balls.

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The home side eventually got to target with Sidra Amin hitting the winning runs with a boundary. Sidra top-scored with 50* off 94 deliveries, studded with eight fours, whereas Eyman Fatima remained not out on three.

For South Africa, Nonkululeko Mlaba and Nadine de Klerk picked up two wickets each.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, South Africa could not capitalize on the decision and were bundled out for 115 in just 25.5 overs.

The openers started firmly with a 38-run partnership. However, Diana Baig removed the skipper, Laura Wolvaardt, who top-scored with 28 off 23 balls.

Sune Luus and Karabo Meso were also sent back in successive overs, which reduced South Africa to 59-3 in 9.1 overs. The visitors were in further dire straits once Nashra Sandhu came in to bowl.

The 27-year-old tore through South Africa’s middle-order with outstanding bowling and took a fifer in no time. Due to her spell, South Africa were reeling on 94-8 at the end of the 21st over.

With a dominant display from Pakistan, it was only a matter of time before the Proteas were bowled out, with Syed Aroob Shah removing the last two batters.

Nashra Sandhu remained the standout bowler, picking up six wickets for 26 runs in nine overs.

Playing XIs:

Pakistan Women: Fatima Sana (c), Muneeba Ali (wk), Eyman Fatima, Sidra Amin, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Pervaiz, Syed Aroob Shah, Rameen Shamim, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal.

South Africa Women: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Karabo Meso, Sune Luus, Miane Smit, Anneke Bosch, Miane Smit, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Nonkululeko Mlaba

READ: Quinton de Kock reverses retirement, returns for Pakistan tour

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa star batter Quinton de Kock was named in the Proteas squad for the upcoming tour of Pakistan after reversing his retirement from One-Day international (ODI) cricket.

The 32-year-old announced his retirement from Test cricket in 2021 and ended his ODI career following the 2023 World Cup.

He last played for South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2024, held in the West Indies, where they lost to India in the final.

Now, the wicket-keeper has been included in the South Africa squad for the ODI and T20I series against Pakistan, which is set to commence on October 28.

The left-handed batter boasts an impressive average of 45.74, having amassed 6770 runs in 155 ODIs with 21 centuries and 30 half-centuries.

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Following the squad announcement, Proteas head coach Shukri Conrad called the ace batter’s return a significant boost for South Africa.

“Quinton’s return to the white-ball space is a major boost for us,” said Conrad. “When we spoke last month about his future, it was clear that he still has a strong ambition to represent his country.

“Everyone knows the quality he brings to the side, and having him back can only benefit the team,” he added.

South Africa Test squad

Aiden Markram (capt), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj*, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Verreynne

T20I squad

David Miller (capt), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Andile Simelane, Lizaad Williams

South Africa ODI squad

Matthew Breetzke (capt), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuin, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Sinethemba Qeshile.

READ: Sahibzada Farhan breaks Abhishek Sharma’s six-hitting record

LAHORE: Sidra Amin’s masterful century went in vain as South Africa women edged Pakistan women to seal the three-match ODI series 2-0 with one match remaining.

Set a daunting 313-run target in a rain-affected clash, Pakistan were bundled out for 287 in 44.4 overs as per the DLS method here at Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.

Green Shirts endured a poor start, losing opener Muneeba Ali in the third over as she managed to score one.

Following the wicket, Sidra Amin partnered with Omaima Sohail for a 57-run stand, which steadied the chase.

Omaima departed for 43 from 38 with the aid of seven fours. As a result, Pakistan were reduced to 62-2 at the end of 11 overs.

However, the mammoth 146-run stand between Sidra Amin and Natalia Pervaiz reignited Pakistan’s hope and put them firmly back in the contest.

At 247 in 37.5 overs, Sidra’s dismissal after a superb 122 off just 110 balls with 13 fours triggered a collapse that Pakistan could not recover from.

For South Africa, Nadine de Klerk remained the standout bowler, claiming three wickets and ensuring that Pakistan fell short of the target.

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Earlier, Tazmin Brits’ sublime 171* and skipper Laura Wolvaardt’s impressive century powered South Africa women to a big total.

Put into bat first, South Africa racked up 292-3 in a match reduced to 46 overs per side due to rain.

Openers Britz and Wolvaardt laid a strong foundation with a record 262-run stand— their second double-century partnership and the highest ever for the Proteas women’s in ODIs.

Britz continued her rich vein of form, bringing up her half-century with a six and a two in the 19th over. Wolvaardt followed soon after, reaching the milestone in the 21st over with a single.

The pair showed no signs of slowing down, keeping the scoreboard ticking and toiling Pakistan bowlers. By the time the rain arrived, South Africa were cruising at 238-0 in 41 overs.

Britz had surpassed the triple figures, whereas the skipper was on 93 with South Africa 238-0 in 41 overs.

The weather also changed Pakistan’s fortunes with a wicket as Wolvaardt was dismissed soon after for a well-made 100 off 129 balls, laced with 10 boundaries. At this stage, South Africa were 260-1 in 43.1 overs.

Notably, the Proteas made 54 in the last five overs, which further depleted Pakistan’s bowling lineup.

For Pakistan, Diana Baig was the sole wicket-taker, picking up two wickets in her five overs while giving away 45.

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