Ismail Holds Nerve As South Africa Beat Pakistan

MOUNT MAUNGANUI: South African right-arm pace bowler Shabnim Ismail held her nerve while bowling the crucial last over, conceding just four runs to help her team win a thriller against Pakistan Women by six runs, in the ICC Women's World Cup at the Bay Oval here on Friday.

Defending 223/9, the Proteas bundled out Pakistan for 217 runs in 49.5 overs to keep South Africa's perfect record intact in the World Cup.

With Pakistan requiring 10 runs in the last over, Ismail bowled well within herself to take South Africa into the top-four on the table, where they occupy the third spot with four points in two games.

Pakistan, on the other hand, have a lot of soul-searching to do after losing their third game on the trot, leaving them at the bottom of the table. Pakistan were in the game for the most part, thanks to half-centuries from Nida Dar and Omaima Sohail, but nerves got the better of them in the end.

Chasing 224, openers Nahida Khan and Sidra Ameen got Pakistan off to a solid start, adding 26 runs in the first six overs. Ismail ensured the openers didn't run away with the game, inducing an edge off Ameen's bat to break the opening stand. She was on a hat-trick after she dismissed skipper Bismah Maroof for a golden duck.

Ismail was trusted to defend 10 off the final over and she delivered. A brilliant running catch off her own bowling sent Baig back to the pavilion before an anti-climactic run-out finished the match, with South Africa emerging victorious by six runs.

Brief Scores: South Africa Women 223/9 in 50 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 75, Sune Luus 62; Fatima Sana 3/43) beat Pakistan Women 217 in 49.5 overs (Nahida Khan 40, Omaima Sohail 65, Nida Dar 55; Shabnim Ismail 3/41, Marizanne Kapp 2/43) by six runs. IANS

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