KARACHI: Pakistan looked in stark contrast to the team they were days ago. Having shown utter domination against South Africa to sweep the recent Twenty20 International series 3-0, the hosts were routed by the visitors as formats switched to ODIs here at the National Bank Stadium on Friday.

The psychological pressure of the 293-run target set by South Africa — thanks to centuries by Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp — was just too much for Pakistan as they succumbed by 127 runs.

The home side was never in it as they kept loosing wickets in quick successions, with T20 series hero Aliya Riaz being the only player who showed some resistance before Pakistan were bowled out for 165 runs.

After Ayabonga Khaka had cleaned up Pakistan opener Shawaal Zulfiqar, Nadine de Klerk (3-23) and Nonkululeko Mlaba (3-39) ran through the hosts line-up.

De Klerk got rid of in-form batter Sidra Amin and ex Pakistan skipper Bismah Maroof before Mlaba got the better of Muneeba Ali, captain Nida Dar and Sidra Nawaz.

Pakistan’s tail fell cheaply too, but Aliya’s contribution of 49 off 58 balls — that included six fours — reduced the margin of defeat for her team.

Pakistan didn’t have a bad start with the ball after South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first. The visitors were struggling at 64-3 by the start of the 10th over as Nashra Sandhu, Umm-e-Hani and Aliya taking a wicket each.

But Luus and Kapp, who were at the crease at that point, took the game far away from Pakistan as they put up 183 for the fourth wicket. Luus unbeaten 107 off 129 balls was studded with seven fours. Kapp, meanwhile, smashed 100 off 105, hitting 12 boundaries and a maximum before falling to Nashra.

De Klerk added a quickfire 29 off 23 balls to take South Africa to a total that ended up being too big for Pakistan to chase.

Scores in brief:

SOUTH AFRICA 292-4 in 50 overs (Sune Luus 107 not out, Marizanne Kapp 100; Nashra Sandhu 2-50); PAKISTAN 165 in 36.5 overs (Aliya Riaz 49 not out; Nadine de Klerk 3-23, Nonkululeko Mlaba 3-39).

Published in Dawn, September 9th, 2023