By narenchoudhary6747@gmail.com 
Colombo, October 21, 2025 — Veteran all-rounder Marizanne Kapp shone with both bat and ball as South Africa Women crushed Pakistan Women by 150 runs (DLS method) in a rain-hit ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 encounter. With this win, the Proteas surged to the top of the points table and confirmed their place in the semifinals.
After persistent rain delayed the start, the contest was reduced to 40 overs per side. Pakistan, opting to bowl first, got an early breakthrough when Fatima Sana dismissed Tazmin Brits for a duck. But that was the only moment of joy for Pakistan in the first innings.Skipper Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus steadied the ship with a commanding 118-run partnership for the second wicket. Wolvaardt played a classy captain’s knock of 90 off 79 balls, while Luus added a fluent 61 off 55 deliveries, setting up the perfect platform for the power hitters.
When the top order departed, Marizanne Kapp took charge, unleashing a flurry of boundaries to finish unbeaten on 68 from just 43 balls. Her late assault, along with Nadine de Klerk’s quick cameo, propelled South Africa to a formidable 312/9 in their 40 overs. Pakistan’s Nashra Sandhu and Sadia Iqbal picked up three wickets apiece, but their efforts couldn’t prevent the onslaught in the death overs, where 72 runs came off the final five.
Pakistan’s chase never really took off. With the DLS target revised multiple times due to rain, they were eventually asked to chase 234 in just 20 overs — a near-impossible task.Kapp carried her batting momentum into her bowling, ripping through Pakistan’s top order with figures of 3 for 20. At one stage, Pakistan were reduced to 35/4, with Ayabonga Khaka also striking early. Despite brief resistance from Sidra Amin (21) and Sidra Nawaz (22 not out), Pakistan ended their innings at 83/7.
Rain interruptions made conditions tricky for the batters, but South Africa’s bowlers maintained control throughout, with Nondumiso Shangase (2/19) and Nonkululeko Mlaba applying pressure through disciplined spin bowling.
For her all-round heroics, Marizanne Kapp was rightly adjudged Player of the Match. Reflecting on her performance, she credited Wolvaardt and Luus for laying the platform that allowed her to play freely later in the innings. “It was a great surface to bat on, and we had fun out there,” she said, adding that while she wasn’t entirely satisfied with her bowling rhythm, she was happy to contribute to another team win.
A delighted Wolvaardt hailed the performance as “a complete team effort.”
“Scoring over 300 in just 40 overs felt amazing. Our batters executed the plans perfectly — steady in the middle, explosive at the end. The bowlers then backed it up beautifully,” she said.
She also praised her bowlers, especially Kapp and Khaka, for exploiting early movement and appreciated how all four spinners got a chance in the shortened game.
In contrast, Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana admitted her team was thoroughly outplayed.
“We didn’t execute our bowling plans well, and South Africa dominated from start to finish,” she reflected.
She emphasized the need for her side to remain composed under pressure and build partnerships, adding that rain interruptions made conditions challenging but couldn’t be an excuse for their poor performance.
This victory marked South Africa Women’s fifth consecutive win — their best-ever streak in Women’s World Cup history. After losing their opener to England, the Proteas have been unstoppable, defeating New Zealand, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and now Pakistan.Their consistent performances have pushed them ahead of tournament heavyweights Australia and England, with 10 points from six games. They are now officially the first team to qualify for the semifinals of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025.
Venue: Colombo
Toss: Pakistan Women elected to bowl
Result: South Africa Women won by 150 runs (DLS Method)
Player of the Match: Marizanne Kapp
312/9 in 40 overs
- Laura Wolvaardt – 90 (79)
- Sune Luus – 61 (55)
- Marizanne Kapp – 68* (43)
- Nashra Sandhu – 3/54
- Sadia Iqbal – 3/67
83/7 in 20 overs (Target 234, DLS)
- Sidra Amin – 21 (19)
- Sidra Nawaz – 22* (33)
- Marizanne Kapp – 3/20
- Nondumiso Shangase – 2/19
South Africa’s next challenge will be against Australia, a fixture that could determine the final group standings. Pakistan, on the other hand, are now mathematically out of semifinal contention but will aim to finish the tournament on a positive note in their remaining matches.
Despite constant interruptions from rain, South Africa Women showed why they are among the world’s elite. Their batting depth, bowling discipline, and tactical clarity were on full display in Colombo. With momentum firmly on their side, Laura Wolvaardt’s team looks primed for a deep run into the knockout stages — and possibly their first-ever World Cup title.