Sadaf Shamas leads Pakistan Women to consolation win against South Africa

DURBAN (Web Desk) - Sadaf Shamas' 82-ball 97 and an all-round bowling display took Pakistan to a consolation win in the third and final ODI of the three-match series against South Africa.

Heading into the contest 2-0 down, Pakistan were put in to bat. Shamas led Pakistan's charge, though fellow opener Gull Feroza departed early for 13.

Shamas put on a 130-run partnership with Sidra Amin for the second wicket, and struck 16 fours and one six. She was eventually caught and bowled by Sune Luus, who snared her first wicket in a spell of 3 for 42. The second wicket came in her next over, when she bowled Amin for 41 to reduce Pakistan to 164 for 3 in the 27th over.

However, Pakistan never took their foot off the pedal: they chugged along nicely until captain Fatima Sana, slotting in at No. 7 at the end of the 39th over, entered to give Pakistan the finishing kick. She hit five sixes and three fours during her 41-ball 60, which helped launch their total past the 300-run mark.

In response, South Africa never settled into a big partnership during a chase of 307. Tasmia Rubab and Sana knocked over South Africa's top order early in the powerplay, reducing them to 7 for 3 by the end of just the second over.

Faye Tunnicliffe and Annerie Dercksen - whose heroics in the second ODI had taken South Africa to the series win - combined for an 85-run partnership for the fourth wicket. By the time Tunniclifee was dismissed for a 51-ball 47 by Nashru Sandhu, South Africa had managed to reach 92 for 4.

Wicketkeeper-batter Sinalo Jafta and Dercksen put up another 50-run partnership, but in back-to-back overs, Jafta (33) and Dercksen (54) were taken out to snuff any hopes of a comeback win for South Africa. By then, they had been reduced to 147 for 6.

Jafta's wicket was also the first of three for Sadia Iqbal, who helped mop up the lower order to ensure South Africa folded for 186 within the next ten overs.