SA Women vs PAK Women, 22nd Match 2025 – Live Updates from Colombo as Pakistan Opt to Bowl First
The 22nd match of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 is underway at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, where Pakistan Women have won the toss and elected to field first against a confident South Africa Women’s team.
It’s a warm, bright afternoon in Colombo, and conditions look ideal for an exciting contest between two sides in contrasting form — South Africa, already through to the semi-finals, and Pakistan, desperately searching for a first win of the tournament.
Pakistan Opt to Bowl — Fatima Sana Confident of Early Breakthroughs
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana chose to bowl first, citing favourable early-day bowling conditions.
“It looks like a good pitch for the bowlers and the weather is good, so we’ll bowl first,” she said after the toss. “Me and Diana are leading the pace attack, and our spinners have been consistent. The goal is to stay calm under pressure and play smart cricket.”
Pakistan are going with the same XI from their last outing, hoping for a change in fortune.
South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt, on the other hand, appeared relaxed after losing the toss:
“It’s not the worst thing to bat first. We’ve been chasing well recently, so this is a chance to test ourselves setting a target,” she said.
For South Africa, Ayabonga Khaka comes back into the side, replacing Masabata Klaas.
Playing XIs
South Africa Women
Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Annerie Dercksen, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Karabo Meso (wk), Nondumiso Shangase, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba
Pakistan Women
Omaima Sohail, Muneeba Ali, Sidra Amin, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Pervaiz, Fatima Sana (capt), Sidra Nawaz (wk), Rameen Shamim, Diana Baig, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal
Pitch and Conditions — “Good Pace and Some Early Grass”
Pitch reporter Julia Price offered an intriguing assessment:
“There’s a bit of grass and moisture still on the surface from being under covers. The heat is bouncing back from the ground, and there’s also a slight breeze. Pace bowlers have enjoyed success here — expect movement off the seam early on.”
With this in mind, Pakistan’s decision to bowl first looks strategic. Their seamers, led by Fatima Sana and Diana Baig, will look to exploit early movement and make inroads into South Africa’s formidable top order.
Match Context: Two Teams, Different Stories
This fixture carries different meanings for both sides. South Africa Women, currently sitting third on the table with four wins from five matches, are already through to the semi-finals. Their consistency has been impressive — blending aggressive batting with disciplined bowling.
Pakistan Women, on the other hand, have endured a difficult campaign. With no wins and two washed-out games, they sit near the bottom of the table, mathematically alive but realistically out of contention.
Their biggest challenge has been converting good starts into match-winning positions — particularly with the bat. The team’s strike rate and boundary-scoring rate have lagged behind the top sides.
Recent Form — South Africa Soaring, Pakistan Searching
| Team | Last 5 Matches | Result Summary |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa Women | W, W, W, W, L | Confident, balanced performances led by Wolvaardt and Luus |
| Pakistan Women | L, L, L, NR, NR | Winless, struggling for momentum and consistency |
South Africa’s strong run has been driven by the experienced core of Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp, and Sune Luus — all contributing with both bat and ball. Luus, in particular, is just one five-wicket haul away from equalling the record for most five-fors in WODIs, a milestone she could reach today.
Pakistan, meanwhile, will be banking on Fatima Sana’s leadership, Sidra Amin’s form at the top, and Aliya Riaz’s power-hitting in the middle order. Their bowlers have shown flashes of brilliance, but they need sustained accuracy to trouble the in-form South Africans.
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Points Table Snapshot (Before the Match)
| Position | Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | N/R | Points | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | South Africa Women | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 8 | -0.440 |
| 8 | Pakistan Women | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 2 | -1.887 |
With India occupying the fourth spot, Pakistan’s qualification hopes are purely theoretical. To sneak into the top four, they would need two massive wins and favourable results elsewhere — a near-impossible equation.
Pre-Match Atmosphere — Clear Skies, Electric Energy
At 2:23 PM, the skies above Khettarama Stadium were clear and sunny, with a light breeze drifting across the ground. Despite early morning humidity, the weather has held up well, ensuring a full game without rain interruptions — a welcome change after multiple rain-affected fixtures earlier in the tournament.
Spectators have filled the stands, with both South African supporters and a strong contingent of Pakistani fans adding colour and energy to the Colombo afternoon.
Cricket analyst Fidel Fernando, reporting from the ground, confirmed:
“It’s a perfect day for cricket — clear skies, quick outfield, and a good surface that should reward good stroke-play.”
What’s at Stake?
For South Africa, today’s match is an opportunity to consolidate form ahead of the semi-finals. They will likely test their bench strength while maintaining rhythm and confidence.
For Pakistan, this is about pride and progress. A strong showing against one of the best teams in the competition could restore belief and momentum heading into the final stages of the tournament.
The team’s coach emphasized in the pre-match press conference that Pakistan is focusing on discipline, energy, and intent — three things they’ve lacked in earlier games.
Key Players to Watch
South Africa Women
- Laura Wolvaardt: The captain and leading run-scorer continues to anchor South Africa’s top order with elegance and precision.
- Sune Luus: A match-winner with both bat and ball; just one more five-for to equal a world record.
- Marizanne Kapp: South Africa’s all-round powerhouse — her pace and aggressive batting make her crucial in middle overs.
Pakistan Women
- Sidra Amin: Pakistan’s most consistent batter this year; her ability to rotate strike early could set the tone.
- Fatima Sana: The captain leads from the front with disciplined seam bowling and lower-order hitting.
- Nashra Sandhu: The left-arm spinner will play a key role in controlling the middle overs against Luus and Tryon.
Tactical Outlook
With Pakistan opting to bowl first, the first 10 overs will be decisive. Early wickets could pressure South Africa’s middle order, while an opening stand from Wolvaardt and Brits could quickly shift momentum.
The pitch is expected to remain true through the evening, meaning chasing 240–260 might be achievable — but only if Pakistan’s batting unit finds stability.
Analysts believe Pakistan’s best chance lies in spin control during the middle overs and sharp fielding, something they’ve improved slightly since their early losses.
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Broader Tournament Picture
As of today, three teams — Australia, England, and South Africa — have already sealed semi-final spots. The fourth position remains open between India and New Zealand, depending on results from the final group matches.
For Asian teams like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, the 2025 Women’s World Cup has been a learning experience. Many analysts point out that the lack of domestic T20 leagues and limited exposure to international competition have hurt their ability to play power cricket at the top level.
The ongoing tournament has highlighted the urgent need for investment in women’s domestic cricket, more A-team tours, and mentorship programs for emerging players.
Expert Commentary
Commentator Abhimanyu Bose, covering the match from the press box, noted:
“South Africa are flying high, but Pakistan still have the chance to show fight. If Fatima Sana’s bowlers can strike early, this could be a tighter contest than expected.”
Analyst Sruthi Ravindranath added that Pakistan’s approach with the bat has to evolve:
“Their intent in powerplays needs to change. Too often, they’re cautious when conditions allow scoring freely.”
Match Expectations
With perfect weather, an even surface, and high stakes, the SA Women vs PAK Women clash in Colombo promises to deliver a compelling contest. South Africa’s balance makes them favourites, but Pakistan’s unpredictability and hunger could spring a surprise.
If Pakistan can capitalize on early movement and execute their bowling plans sharply, they might finally break their winless streak.
As play begins at 2:30 PM local time, all eyes are on Fatima Sana’s side — can they rise from the shadows and remind the cricketing world of their potential?
