Brits, Wolvaardt tons power SA to series win

Tazmin Brits' phenomenal 171 and a 260-run opening stand with Laura Wolvaardt helped South Africa seal the three-match ODI series in Pakistan with a game to spare. The South African openers kept Pakistan at bay for 43 overs in a match-winning stand of 260 that set the base for their 292/3 in a 46-overs-a-side affair due to rain. Pakistan's reply was led by Sidra Amin's second successive century of the series, but was unfortunately not enough as the hosts went down by 25 runs.

After getting out cheaply in the series opener, Wolvaardt hit her straps and settled in for a 260-run stand with Brits, who hammered her second century in as many games. Brits played the aggressor, racing to a 106-ball century while rain halted play when the skipper was seven short of her century-mark.

Once the rain abated, having knocked off four overs per side, Wolvaardt lasted just enough to reach the triple figures before Diana Baig finally produced the much-awaited breakthrough. Nadine de Klerk, after sitting out the first game, was handed a golden duck with Baig cleaning her up straightaway. In her following over, she ran out Annerie Dercksen but a well-set Brits was the real threat who collected five more boundaries amidst the wickets to finish with a 141-ball career-best 171 not out and give South Africa a strong finish.

Pakistan's target was adjusted to 313 from 46 overs, and Sidra, after a hundred in the previous game, was out in the middle inside three overs. Omaima Sohail did most of the scoring in their 57-run stand, scoring a boundary-filled 43 in 38 balls before being bowled by Masabata Klaas in the over right after PowerPlay. Sidra lost another partner in Aliya Riaz quite quickly thereafter, but then forged a 146-run partnership with Natalia Parvez (73 off 60) to revive Pakistan's hopes.

The duo kept South African attack at bay 18 overs and Pakistan's chase on track. Chloe Tryon, however, broke through that stubborn stand just when Pakistan seemed to be nudging ahead. Sidra, after hitting 13 boundaries in her 110-ball 122, fell, triggering a bit of a late collapse. The hosts lost their last six wickets for mere 40 runs, including both the set batters as Tryon and de Klerk brought South Africa back into the contest in style. Once Pervaiz fell, it all went south quickly and the hosts were shot down for 287 with eight deliveries to spare in their chase.

Brief Scores: South Africa 292/3 in 46 overs (Tazmin Brits 171*, Laura Wolvaardt 100; Diana Baig 2-45) lost to Pakistan 287 in 44.4 overs (Sidra Ameen 122, Natalia Pervaiz 73; Nadine de Klerk 3-45, Marizanne Kapp 2-37, Chloe Tryon 2-55) by 25 runs (DLS method - revised target 313 in 46 overs)