Sandhu's six-for powers Pakistan's consolation win

Led by Nashra Sandhu's career-best returns (6 for 26), Pakistan secured a consolatory but commanding six-wicket win in the third One-Day International against South Africa, in Lahore. South Africa, nonetheless, won the three-match series 2-1 in what was the last international assignment for the two sides ahead of the 2025 Women's World Cup.

South Africa, who had rested several of their frontline players for the dead-rubber, made a steady start after electing to bat with openers Laura Wolvaardt and Karabo Meso stitching a 38-run stand before the skipper was dismissed by Diana Baig in the seventh over.

Sune Luus made a positive start to her innings but departed after cracking a couple of boundaries, starting the collapse for the visitors. Sandhu, the left-arm spinner ripped through South Africa's middle order accounting for the wickets of Luus, Maine Smit, Anneke Bosch, Sinola Jafta, Chloe Tryon and Nadine de Klerk in a space of 52 balls, reducing South Africa to 94 for 8 by the end of the 21st over.

Masataba Klass hit a couple of boundaries to help South Africa past the 100-run mark, but they couldn't continue their resistance for too long. Aroob Shah dismissed Ayabonga Khaka and Nonkululeko Mlaba to clean up South Africa for 115.

Mlaba then struck off her first delivery to send Omaima Sohail back for a duck, but Muneeba Ali and Sidra Amin ensured there wasn't an early wobble in Pakistan's chase. The duo marched along slowly, stitching a 65-run stand for the second wicket before Muneeba fell six short of her half-century.

De Klerk's double strike in the 22nd over did leave Pakistan stuttering briefly with Muneeba and Fatima Sana back in the pavillion, but Natalia Perveiz offered much needed support to Amin as Pakistan slowly marched towards the target. Mlaba returned to trap her legbefore but by then Pakistan were only 12 runs short of the target.

Amin, who had stroked centuries in the last two games, hit a boundary to bring up her half-century on Monday and help the side over the line.

Brief Scores: South Africa 115 in 25.5 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 28; Nashra Sandhu 6-26, Aroob Shah 2-16) lost to Pakistan 117/4 in 31 overs (Sidra Amin 50*, Muneeba Ali 44; Nadine de Klerk 2-19, Nonkululeko Mlaba 2-46) by 6 wickets.