Luus and Jafta lead Proteas Women to ODI victory

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 (IWC) One-Day International (ODI) in Bloemfontein on Sunday.

Luus anchored the innings with an unbeaten 93 off 76 balls (8x4, 1x6), while Jafta produced a scintillating knock of 57* off 38 deliveries (8x4) 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; 7x4) and Sidra Amin (68 off 69 balls; 9x4). 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.

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 at SuperSport Park in Centurion, starting at 2pm.

Proteas Women’s ODI Squad

Laura Wolvaardt (Fidelity Titans) (Captain), Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions), *Fay Cowling (DP World Lions), Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Garden Route Badgers), Lara Goodall (World Sports Betting Western Province), Ayanda Hlubi (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso (DP World Lions), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions), Nondumiso Shangase (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions) and Faye Tunnicliffe (World Sports Betting Western Province).

* Uncapped

Fixtures

Tuesday, 10 February at 6pm @ JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom - SA won by five wickets

Friday, 13 February at 6pm @ Willowmoore Park, Benoni - SA won by six wickets

Monday, 16 February at 6pm @ Willowmoore Park, Benoni - Pakistan won by 53 runs

Thursday, 19 February at 10am - 50-over Warm-up @ JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom: SA Emerging Women v Pakistan - SA Emerging Women won by one wicket

Sunday, 22 February at 10am @ Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein - SA won by 37 runs

Wednesday, 25 February at 2pm @ SuperSport Park, Centurion

Sunday, 1 March at 10am @ Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium, Durban