Pakistan fail again as S Africa record first win in women’s WC

CUTTACK: Pakistan failed to qualify for the Super Six round in the Women’s World Cup as they were routed by South Africa by 126 runs here at the Barabati Stadium on Tuesday.

This was Pakistan’s third consecutive defeat in the tournament but South Africa registered their first win and qualified for the Super Sixes.

For this success, South Africa should thank Marizanne Kapp, who displayed a splendid allround performance

Kapp first scored her maiden hundred with an unbeaten 102 to take South Africa to 207 for five in 50 overs and later captured three wickets for 18 runs as Pakistan were dismissed for 81 in 29.4 overs.

Kapp was also involved in a record stand for the sixth wicket with Dane van Niekerk (55 not out). Both added 128 runs for their unbeaten partnership.

The unbeaten, 128-run stand between Kapp and van Niekerk is the highest partnership for South Africa in the World Cup and the second-highest sixth wicket partnership of all time

It was an intense battle at the Barabati Stadium, with both teams meeting in a virtual knock-out game for the final spot in the Super Six in Group B. Having faced heavy defeats in their other group matches, Pakistan, who were put in to field by South African skipper Mignon du Preez, came on to the field eager to turn the tide. When their new-ball combination of pacers Asmavia Iqbal and Qanita Jali reduced South Africa to 55 for four in the17th over, the Asian team held the upper hand

Just as South Africa began building a partnership, Susan Benade was run out, stranded well short of her crease after a moment of confusion with Kapp. However, Kapp and van Niekerk combined to ensure that the South African bowlers had a strong target to defend.

However, Kapp put her head down and focused on rotating the strike, allowing van Niekerk to gain confidence.

Soon, the duo were scoring with ease against an all-spin attack. Pakistan's tactics of bowling out Jalil as early as the 21st over, and restricting Iqbal's spell to six overs, backfired as the lack of variation allowed the South African batsmen to score.

In the 49th over, Kapp drove Bismah Maroof through the off side for a single to complete a well-deserved century. In the 50th over, van Niekerk cut loose, hitting part-time offspinner Nida Rashid for 18 runs.

Chasing a difficult target, Pakistan batsmen could not resist against accurate bowling from South Africa as Pakistan collapsed to a low score for the third time, paid off as in as many matches.