Proteas wrap up World Cup preparations with comfortable win

THE Proteas Women put the finishing touches to their World Cup preparations with a four-wicket win over Pakistan in yesterday's ODI at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, a victory built on strong all-round performances by the South Africans.

- ROWAN CALLAGHAN

Pakistan managed to score 229/9 off 46 overs after choosing to bat first. South Africa replied with 233/6 in the 41st over, surviving an early batting wobble as skipper Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, and Marizanne Kapp all fell cheaply.

Pakistan were 87/2 after 20 overs in their innings. Medium-pace spearhead Ayabonga Khaka claimed the first wicket, that of opener Muneeba Ali. Fellow seamer Nadine de Klerk then dismissed Omaima Sohail, before Sidra Amin and Sidra Nawaz steadied the ship for Pakistan.

The Proteas struck two quick blows, with Annerie Dercksen removing Nawaz for 35 and Chloe Tryon accounting for Natalia Pervaiz, while Amin retired.

Pakistan were 143/4 in the 31st over and only reached 229/9 in the 46th over, thanks largely to skipper Fatima Sana’s top score of 64.