South Africa delivered a commanding performance to defeat Pakistan by 150 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method in the 22nd match of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium on October 21, 2025. The rain-affected round-robin encounter, reduced to 40 overs per side after a nearly two-and-a-half-hour delay, saw the Proteas post a formidable 312 for 9 before restricting Pakistan to 83 for 7 in a truncated 20-over chase, with the revised target set at 234.

This emphatic victory propelled South Africa to the top of the points table with 10 points from six matches, leapfrogging Australia and England—both on nine points—who face off next in Indore. Marizanne Kapp earned Player of the Match honours for her all-round brilliance, scoring an unbeaten 68 off 43 balls and claiming 3 for 20 with the ball.

Opting to field after winning the toss on a sticky, muggy pitch, Pakistan struck early when Fatima Sana induced Tazmin Brits to edge a catch to Natalia Pervaiz for a duck in the second over. Heavy rain then interrupted play, but upon resumption, South Africa's batters unleashed a barrage. Captain Laura Wolvaardt anchored the innings with a masterful 90 off 104 balls, featuring 10 fours, while Sune Luus contributed a brisk 61 off 60 deliveries, forging a crucial 118-run second-wicket partnership that steadied the ship after the early setback.

Nadine de Klerk's explosive 41 off just 16 balls, laced with seven boundaries, propelled South Africa to 102 runs in the final 10 overs, eclipsing their previous highest World Cup total. Pakistan's bowlers, led by Nashra Sandhu (3 for 45) and Sadia Iqbal (3 for 63), fought valiantly on a turning track but were undermined by sloppy fielding, including dropped catches and misfields in the deep.

In their pursuit of 306 under initial DLS adjustments—later revised multiple times amid further showers—Pakistan's innings crumbled under pressure from South Africa's seam attack. Further rain after 10 overs left them at 35 for 4, with Kapp's incisive fourth over dismantling the top order: she trapped Omaima Sohail lbw and induced Sidra Amin to edge behind, both in quick succession.

Ayabonga Khaka (1 for 14) and Nondumiso Shangase (2 for 19) compounded the misery, as Pakistan managed only sporadic resistance from Sidra Nawaz (22 not out) and Natalia Pervaiz (20). The target fluctuated to 262 off 25 overs and then 186 off eight before settling at 234 off 20, but the hosts never threatened, folding with three overs unused. Pakistan captain Fatima Sana lamented her team's bowling lapses, admitting South Africa's superior execution had overwhelmed them.

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This result marked South Africa's fifth consecutive World Cup win—their best streak in the tournament's history—and confirmed their semi-final berth while eliminating Pakistan, who join Bangladesh on the sidelines with one group game remaining. For the Proteas, the triumph boosts their net run rate and positions them favourably ahead of the November 2 semi-finals in Colombo and Ahmedabad. Pakistan, winless after four defeats and two washouts, must regroup for pride in their final outing against New Zealand.

The match highlighted the tournament's resilience against Sri Lanka's unpredictable weather, underscoring South Africa's evolution into title contenders after years of near-misses.

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