Rain-hit clash sees South Africa eliminate Pakistan, surge to top of the table

Rain-hit clash: South Africa thrash Pakistan, storm to top of points table.

A dominant batting display powered South Africa to a convincing 150-run (DLS) victory over Pakistan in a rain-affected encounter in Colombo, knocking the visitors out of semifinal contention and sending the Proteas to the top of the points table.

In a match reduced to 40 overs per side, South Africa posted a massive 312/9, powered by Laura Wolvaardt’s fluent 90, brisk half-centuries from Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp, and a whirlwind 41 off 16 balls from Nadine de Klerk.

Chasing a revised DLS target of 234 in 20 overs due to rain interruptions, Pakistan struggled from the start. Muneeba Ali began with a boundary but soon fell to Ayabonga Khaka, and wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals. Pakistan eventually finished 83/7, handing South Africa a dominant victory.

The win marked South Africa’s fifth consecutive victory, lifting them to the top of the table with one group-stage game remaining against Australia in Indore. This also capped a remarkable turnaround after their poor start against England in Guwahati three weeks ago, where they were bowled out for just 69.

South Africa’s innings had early setbacks with Tazmin Brits dismissed for a duck, but Wolvaardt and Luus stitched together a commanding partnership, taking the team past 100 in just 15 overs. Kapp added 64 runs for the fourth wicket, propelling South Africa beyond 200, while de Klerk’s late blitz of boundaries ensured a total over 300 despite losing three wickets in the final over.