South Africa vs Pakistan Highlights, Women's World Cup 2025: South Africa beat Pakistan by 150 runs (DLS)

Fatima Sana to Sune Luus, Lands it full, does Sana, around off, Sune pushes it down to mid off.

Fatima Sana to Sune Luus, On a hard length and over the top of the off stump, Sune taps it down to cover.

Fatima Sana to Sune Luus, Nagging length and around off, Sune rises with the bounce and dabs it down to cover.

Fatima Sana pulls out on the last second. Probably lost her run up just before delivering the ball. Goes back to reload.

Fatima Sana to Sune Luus, On a length, angling in, around middle, Sune nudges it to mid-wicket.

Fatima Sana to Laura Wolvaardt, OUCH! On a length and outside off, Laura Wolvaardt gets half-forward and pulls it hard, which goes flat and hits the right leg of the square leg umpire, who tries to get her leg out of the way by lifting it up, but fails to get away in time, and the ball rolls behind her before it is mopped up by the mid-wicket fielder to her right. N Janani apologizes to Laura Wolvaardt instantly. A single taken.

Fatima Sana to Laura Wolvaardt, EDGED AND FOUR! On a length and around off, Laura Wolvaardt gets forward and tries to defend it but gets a thick outside edge that goes away to the left of short third for a boundary. Fatima won't mind that though.

Sadia Iqbal to Sune Luus, SIX! TONKED! Full and around off, Sune Luus gets down, picks it up and powerfully slogs it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Sadia Iqbal to Sune Luus, Pushed through, full and around off, Sune lunges and defends it to the right of the bowler.

Sadia Iqbal to Sune Luus, FOUR BYES! Drifts it, full but down the leg side. Sune Luus gets across and goes down on one knee to sweep but misses. The keeper, Sidra Nawaz, too fails to grab it to her left and the ball races away to the deep fine leg fence.

Sadia Iqbal to Sune Luus, Slower through the air, full and around off, Sune takes a step forward and smothers the spin.

Sadia Iqbal to Sune Luus, Tossed up, full and around off, Sune prods forward and defends it into the deck.

Sadia Iqbal to Laura Wolvaardt, On the shorter side and around middle, Laura goes back and nudges it to the left of short leg for a quick single.

Fatima Sana to Sune Luus, Skidding through, on a length and around off, Sune prods forward and checks her drive. The ball goes a bit uppishly but in the gap to the left of the bowler.

Fatima Sana to Laura Wolvaardt, Back of a length and outside off, Laura rides the bounce and dabs it down to the left of coveer for a quick single.

Fatima Sana to Laura Wolvaardt, On a good length, outside off, punched down to mid off from the back foot.

Fatima Sana to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! BEAUTIFUL! On a good length and outside off, Laura Wolvaardt gets across, crouches and crunches it through the minute gap between cover point and extra cover for a boundary.

Fatima Sana to Laura Wolvaardt, Nagging length and around middle, nudged away to mid-wicket off the back foot.

Fatima Sana to Laura Wolvaardt, Geez, that has gone massively wrong for Sana. She tries to bowl an effort ball but it gets stuck in her hands. The ball bounces twice on the pitch and rolls away to the keeper behind the wicket down the leg side. Laura Wolvaardt stays stationary and lets it be. It is called a NO BALL. A Free-Hit is up next..

Fatima Sana to Laura Wolvaardt, FOUR! CRUNCHED! Short of a good length but well outside off, moving away. Laura Wolvaardt gets width to free her arms as she shifts her weight on the back foot and cuts it between cover point and extra cover for a boundary.

Fatima Sana (1-0-2-1) to continue from the other end.

Sadia Iqbal to Sune Luus, Keeps it shorter and around off, tucked it to mid-wicket off the back foot.

Sadia Iqbal to Sune Luus, More spin, shorter in length and around off, Sune rocks back and defends it into the deck.

Sadia Iqbal to Sune Luus, Slower through the air, full and around off, Sune Luus lunges and defends it back to the bowler.

Sadia Iqbal to Laura Wolvaardt, Touch shorter and around off, Laura flicks it to beat the diving mid-wicket fielder to her left for a single.

Sadia Iqbal to Sune Luus, Leg bye! Darts in, a bit shorter and around leg, Sune Luus presses back and tries to flick it but misses. The ball brushes her back pad and rolls away towards short leg. A leg bye is sneaked.

Sadia Iqbal to Laura Wolvaardt, Sliding on the pads, fuller in length, Laura Wolvaardt comes forward and tucks it through mid-wicket for one.

The players are back on the field after a lengthy delay. Let's hope we don't have any further interruption, but overhead conditions remain dark with the floodlights on. Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus walk to the crease to resume their innings for South Africa. Sadia Iqbal (1-0-4-0) to bowl for Pakistan. Here we go...

UPDATE - 11.57 am GMT - We have some great news. Play will resume at 12 pm GMT, and it will be a 40-OVERS PER SIDE contest now. As per the revised playing conditions, the first Powerplay will be of 8 overs for both sides, and 5 bowlers will be allowed to bowl a maximum of 8 overs each. And the target for Pakistan will be adjusted through the DLS method.

UPDATE - 11.46 am GMT - The skies haven’t cleared much yet, but on a positive note, the main covers are being removed as the rain has finally stopped. Live visuals show the players waiting in their respective dugouts, ready for the action to resume.

Game stopped due to : Wet Ground Condition

UPDATE - 11.39 am GMT - It looks like the rain has eased once again, and the ground staff are back in action. It is still dark overhead and the floodlights are glittering. The squares and the pitch are still under covers. Natalie Germanos on air mentions that when the rain briefly stopped and repair work began, the match had already been reduced to 42 overs per side, with 11.40 am GMT set as the tentative restart time. But just when all the covers were removed and everything was set, the drizzle came back, forcing the covers back on. Which also means that more overs will be lost now.

Game stopped due to : Rain Stoppage

UPDATE - 11.27 am GMT - Palms on face. And just like that… RAIN IS BACK IN COLOMBO. The ground staff is bringing in the main covers again. The pitch and the center squares are back under the blue sheets. As we type, more covers are coming on now. And as it has been almost two hours since the game halted, it is highly likely that we will have a truncated game, if and when it resumes. But for now, it is raining and we hope that it stops. 

UPDATE - 11.03 am GMT - The Super Soppers are doing the rounds to dry the wet patches across the field. The umpires were out for an inspection as well. There is no rain as we speak, which is positive news. Also, conditions have brightened up considerably now. We should have an official update on resumption any time now. 

UPDATE - 10.42 am GMT - It’s been an hour since the rain brought play to a halt. The ground staff are hard at work, removing water from the covers before they can be fully taken off, so it will take a while for the outfield to be ready. For now, the rain has eased up, it seems. But it continues to remain very dark overhead. We will keep you updated as the situation develops.

Game stopped due to : Wet Ground Condition

UPDATE - 10.18 am GMT - Some positive news coming in. The rain seems to have stopped. While the threat remains for further rain interruptions, the covers are being gradually peeled off from the center squares. But the pitch is still under covers. Looking at the weather pattern in Colombo, one might not be very optimistic, as this could well be another start-stop kind of a day.

UPDATE - 10.10 am GMT - It looks like the rain has reduced to a drizzle now. But it is still very dark overhead, and the floodlights have been switched on as well. All we can do is pray that the rain stops as soon as possible so we can get back to some cricketing action. Stay tuned for further updates from a wet Colombo.

South Africa's young, 18-year-old keeper-batter, Karabo Meso, also caught up for a quick chat with Julia Price before the game. She says that she’s thoroughly enjoying being around the team, adding that playing in front of such a crowd is an amazing experience, something they don’t often get in Under-19 cricket. She mentions that she wasn’t nervous in her debut game, especially after a few encouraging words from skipper Wolvaardt, who told her to just be fearless. Meso also reveals that AB de Villiers has been her role model throughout her journey and says the team is approaching every game with the right mindset and plenty of positivity.

As we wait for the weather to clear up, let’s hear what Pakistan Women’s head coach, Mohammad Wasim, has to say on the team's progress. He says that after the first match, Pakistan Women have shown steady improvement. Adds that their batting has let them down at times, but with every game, they have looked a little sharper and more settled. Mentions that the bowling, though, has been their biggest strength, and it has consistently stepped up and kept them in the contest. Notes that even against New Zealand, they were in a decent position for large parts of the game, and with a bit more support from the batters, the result could have gone their way. Further says that they’ve always known bowling is their main weapon, and it was evident in the qualifiers, where their batters also chipped in at crucial stages to balance things out. That’s exactly what they’ve been hoping for again in this tournament. However, as it often happens in big ICC events, the pressure factor has come into play. Tells that the side has struggled a bit with composure in tight moments and needs that extra calmness to close games better. Still, there are positives, as the pace unit has been excellent, with skipper Fatima Sana leading from the front, showing control and intent. Reveals that alongside that, their spinners bring quality and variety, giving the team a well-rounded attack. Ends by saying that all they now need is for the batting group to stand up, find consistency, and match the energy their bowlers have been delivering throughout the tournament.

UPDATE - 9.46 am GMT - More blue covers are being rushed onto the field as the rain has intensified. The entire playing area is now under protection. Unfortunately, the skies don’t look encouraging at all. Those dark clouds are rolling in thick and fast, and this could well turn into a long delay.

UPDATE - 9.42 am GMT - Just two overs in the game and the heavens have opened up in Colombo. The umpires request the players to walk off the field. Alan Wilkins says that it is just a windy squall and should clear up soon. The ground staff, with 'military precision' as Wilkins calls on air, bring the blue sheets to protect the pitch and the squares. 

Game stopped due to : Rain Stoppage

Fatima Sana to Sune Luus, On a length, drifting on leg, Sune tries to flick but misses. The ball brushes her back pad and goes to the left of the keeper, who gets across that side and picks it up. Both batters wanted a single but then decided not to take it. The keeper fires a throw at the batting end, but Sune has dragged her bat inside the crease in time.

Fatima Sana to Sune Luus, Pitched up, full and moving away, outside off, Sune shoulders her arms.

Fatima Sana to Sune Luus, WIDE! On a good length but slides down the leg side, Sune looks to tickle it but misses. A wide given.

Sune Luus walks in at number 3.