Black Day for the Proteas Women

A BRILLIANT all-round display from Pakistan Women’s captain Fatima Sana saw her team overpower the Proteas by 119 runs in the annual “Black Day” ODI at Kingsmead yesterday.

- ZAAHIER ADAMS

Each year, Cricket South Africa (CSA) marks Black Day as a visible stand against gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa. It is a day where players wear black to mourn victims, support survivors and unite in solidarity against a persistent social crisis.

Sana struck a whirlwind 60 (41 balls, 3x4, 5x6), along with Sadaf Shamaz’s 97 (82 balls, 16x4, 1x6), to power Pakistan to an imposing 306/8 before the skipper returned with the ball to rock the Proteas’ top-order.

After Tasmia Rubab had already removed opener Tazmin Britz, Sana picked up the big wicket of her counterpart Laura Wolvaardt, beautifully caught at slip, before dismissing Sune Luus two balls later to leave the Proteas at 7/3.

The inform Annerie Dercksen and Faye Tunnicliffe attempted the restoration job with an 85-run partnership for the fourth wicket, but the Pakistan spinners maintained the squeeze throughout.