Pakistan out after rain-hit defeat by South Africa

ICC Women’s World Cup, Colombo

South Africa 312-9 (40 overs): Wolvaardt 90 (82), Nashra 3-45

Pakistan 83-7 (20 overs): Sidra Nawaz 22* (33), Kapp 3-20

South Africa won by 150 runs (Duckworth-Lewis-Stern)

South Africa returned to the top of the table and eliminated Pakistan from the World Cup with a 150-run win on the DLS method in a rain-plagued match in Colombo.

It looked like the weather would wash out another match in the Sri Lankan capital, with rain halting play for nearly two and a half hours just two overs into South Africa’s innings and returning 10 overs into Pakistan’s chase.

However, South Africa were able to complete a 40-over innings, with three players scoring half-centuries and Nadine de Klerk blasting 41 (16) to propel the Proteas to 312-9.

Pakistan were then restricted to 83-7 chasing a rain-reduced 234 from 20 overs, down from their initial revised target of 306 in 40 overs and later 262 from 25 overs after multiple disruptions.

Bottom side Pakistan, who needed to win their final two group matches to keep their semi-final hopes alive, join Bangladesh in being eliminated with a game to spare.

Already qualified South Africa, meanwhile, move one point clear of Australia and England, who meet in Indore on Wednesday.

South Africa lost opener Tazmin Brits for her third duck of the tournament in the second over but came out swinging after the rain delay.

Laura Wolvaardt, top scoring with 90, and Sune Luus (61) combined for 118 for the second wicket to lay the foundations for an imposing total before late runs from Marizanne Kapp (68 not out) and De Klerk carried the Proteas beyond 300.

In reply, Ayabonga Khaka removed Muneeba Ali in the second over before Kapp struck three times in 10 deliveries to reduce Pakistan to 35-4 before the rain returned.

Colombo’s show was canceled due to the rain’s attempts to overshadow South Africa.

With ease in defeating New Zealand and Sri Lanka and a DLS-adjusted 121, Wolvaardt’s side showed themselves to be unstoppable in this tournament, while extending their batting depth with resolute comeback victories over Bangladesh and India.

However, their only failure to set a goal was a failure. They lost five powerplay wickets before being bundled out for 69, their third-lowest total in a women’s ODI, in bat in their opening match against England.

However, captain Wolvaardt was unperturbed when asked to bat first in Colombo, embracing the chance to “test ourselves” and putting the disappointment of England behind them. Luus’s message to the batters was to “go out and express yourself,” according to head coach Mandla Mashimbyi. South Africa excelled at both.

Both Luus and Wolvaardt batted with intent, with the former using her master’s skill for hitting boundaries and the former using fun. Kimp used her experience to anchor the final ten overs, which included 50 off 37 deliveries. At this tournament, the trio have combined scored seven half-centuries.

Before De Klerk’s fireworks, Chloe Tryon made a cameo. The all-rounder showed her finisher prowess by smashing seven boundaries in 16 deliveries to give South Africa 102 runs in the final 10 overs, which included an unbeaten 84 against India earlier in the tournament.

In the middle order, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta, and Anneke Bosch have each struggled for runs, and Pakistan were sloppy in the field, dropping a few catches and displaying poor ground fielding in the deep.