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    Player of the Match Suné Luus Shines with the Bat and the Ball in Opening IWC ODI Win

    Prudence MakogeBy No Comments7 Mins Read
    Player of the Match Suné Luus Shines with the Bat and the Ball in Opening IWC ODI Win


    Player of the Match Suné Luus and Sinalo Jafta delivered standout performances as the Proteas Women secured a 37-run victory over Pakistan in the opening ICC Women’s Championship One-Day International at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein on Sunday, 22 February 2026.

    Luus anchored the innings with an unbeaten 93 off 76 balls (8 fours, 1 six), while Jafta produced a scintillating knock of 57* off 38 deliveries (8 fours) to register her maiden international half-century. Their efforts guided the hosts to 260/6 in their reduced 41-over innings.

    Pakistan fell short in their chase, finishing on 223 all out in 38.5 overs despite fighting half-centuries from Ayesha Zafar (81 off 94 balls; 7 fours) and Sidra Amin (68 off 69 balls; 9 fours). Tumi Sekhukhune (3/50) and Luus (2/31) led the Proteas Women’s bowling attack.

    Following a delayed start due to rain, the Proteas Women lost the toss and were asked to bat first. Despite losing an early wicket, with Tazmin Brits (10) caught off the bowling of Diana Baig (1/48), Laura Wolvaardt (43) was joined by Lara Goodall (13) as the hosts reached 52/1 at the end of 10 overs.

    Shortly before the pair brought up their 50-run partnership, Goodall was dismissed by Sadia Iqbal (1/51), with South Africa progressing to 70/2 at the drinks break. After the interval, Pakistan claimed another crucial wicket, removing the in-form Wolvaardt seven runs short of her half-century.

    Following the skipper’s departure, Luus and Annerie Dercksen (31) helped the home side regain momentum, combining for a half-century stand for the fourth wicket as South Africa reached 143/3 at the halfway stage of the innings.

    With South Africa bringing up 150 on the scoreboard, Luus celebrated her 19th ODI fifty. However, the impressive 80-run partnership was brought to an end when Dercksen was dismissed by Aroob Shah (1/39).

    The Proteas then lost another wicket in the following over, with Chloé Tryon (0) bowled by Nashra Sandhu (2/45) for her second scalp.

    Jafta’s aggressive strokeplay injected fresh impetus into the innings, pushing the Proteas to 203/6 after 35 overs. The wicketkeeper-batter continued to find the boundary with ease before raising her bat for a maiden international half-century in her 50th ODI. Jafta and Luus combined for a crucial 90-run partnership, guiding the hosts to a commanding 260/6.

    Jafta’s aggressive strokeplay saw the wicketkeeper-batter raise her bat for a maiden international half-century in her 50th ODI.
    Sinalo Jafta’s aggressive strokeplay saw the wicketkeeper-batter raise her bat for a maiden international half-century in her 50th ODI.

    With the ball, the Proteas Women made an immediate impact, claiming two early wickets. Ayanda Hlubi (1/22) and Nadine de Klerk (2/36) dismissed Sadaf Shamas (0) and Muneeba Ali (2), reducing the visitors to 5/2 in the fourth over.

    Pakistan responded through Amin and Zafar, who steadied the innings with a 50-run partnership for the third wicket to reach 80/2 after 14 overs. The pair continued to build, bringing up a 100-run stand, with Amin registering her 14th career half-century before Luus made the breakthrough.

    Zafar soon followed with a half-century of her own, helping Pakistan progress to 159/3 after 28 overs alongside Natalia Pervaiz (7), who was later dismissed by Sekhukhune. South Africa tightened their grip on the contest as Luus accounted for Fatima Sana (5), leaving Pakistan on 175/5.

    De Klerk then claimed the key wicket of Zafar, further denting the visitors’ hopes. Aliya Riaz (32) and Shah (8) briefly resisted, pushing Pakistan past the 200-run mark before a sharp run-out by Sekhukhune and de Klerk ended Shah’s stay.

    South Africa wrapped up the contest with two quick wickets from Sekhukhune, who removed Baig (0) and Sandhu (4) to seal an emphatic victory with 13 balls remaining.

    The second IWC ODI will take place on Wednesday, 25 February at SuperSport Park in Centurion, starting at 14:00.

    Results and Fixtures of the Proteas Women’s Inbound ODI Series against Pakistan

    Sunday, 22 February: South Africa beat Pakistan by 37 runs (Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein)
    Wednesday, 25 February: South Africa vs Pakistan at SuperSport Park in Centurion
    Sunday, 1 March: South Africa vs Pakistan at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead in Durban

    South Africa Playing XI for the 1st ODI at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein on 22 February 2026

    1. Tazmin Brits
    2. Laura Wolvaardt (C)
    3. Lara Goodall
    4. Suné Luus
    5. Annerie Dercksen
    6. Sinalo Jafta (W)
    7. Chloé Tryon
    8. Nadine de Klerk
    9. Tumi Sekhukhune
    10. Ayana Hlubi
    11. Nonkululeko Mlaba

    Reserve Players

    12. Faye Cowling
    13. Faue Tunnicliffe
    14. Karabo Meso
    15. Nondumiso Shangase

    Pakistan Women Playing XI

    1. Muneeba Ali
    2. Sadaf Shams
    3. Ayesha Zafar
    4. Sidra Amin
    5. Nataila Parvaiz
    6. Aliya Riaz
    7. Fatima Sana (C)
    8. Nashra Sundhu
    9. Syeda Aroob Shar
    10. Diana Baig
    11. Sadia Iqbal

    Reserve Players 

    12. Gull Feroza 
    13. Umm-e-Hani
    14. Najiha Alvi
    15. Tasmia Rubab

    Results of the Proteas Women’s Inbound T20I Series against Pakistan

    Tue 10 February: South Africa beat Pakistan by 5 wickets (JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom)
    Fri 13 February: South Africa beat Pakistan by 6 wickets (Willowmoore Park, Benoni)
    Mon 16 February: Pakistan beat South Africa by 53 runs (Willowmoore Park, Benoni)

    Main Photo Caption: Player of the Match Suné was on a runs and wickets rampage as the Proteas Women secured a 37-run victory over Pakistan in the opening ICC Women’s Championship One-Day International at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein on Sunday, 22 February 2026. All Photos: Cricket South Africa

    Photo 2 Caption: Sinalo Jafta’s aggressive strokeplay saw the wicketkeeper-batter raise her bat for a maiden international half-century in her 50th ODI.



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