Sports Desk
Durban: Diana Baig scored well-fought 35 runs in the end but couldn’t finish it off well as Pakistan Women lost first ODI against South Africa Women by three runs here on Wednesday.
Earlier, Diana took three wickets to help Pakistan restrict the home side to 200/9 in 50 overs after they decided to bowl first in the three-matches series opener.
The Medium-pacer starred with the ball, picking up three for in her quota of 10 overs while Nashra Sandhu and Nida Dar bagged two each.
Proteas’ all-rounder Marizanne Kapp was the prolific run-getter, scoring 47 off 59. She struck six fours. Laura Wolvaardt made 40 off 62 while Mignon du Preez and Lara Goodall chipped in with 29 and 27, respectively.
In reply, Pakistan lost Muneeba Ali early for a total of eight runs but Nahida Khan and Omaima Sohail scored 34 runs together to support the visitors’ batting. Omaima made 37 runs off 67 balls with the help of five boundaries while Nahida made 14.
Nida Dar blazed with her 59-runs knock of 93 balls laced with three boundaries where Alia Riaz scored 28 runs with the help of two boundaries and a six.
Nida made 35 runs in the end but couldn’t finish it for Pakistan as they fell just four runs short. Pakistan managed to get 197 for the loss of eight wickets in 50 overs in reply to South Africa’s 200-9.
For South Africa, Shabnim Ismail made three wickets for 42 runs.
