Pakistan’s women’s cricket team ended their ODI series against South Africa on a winning note, defeating the visitors by six wickets in the third and final match at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Monday. The victory was powered by a record-breaking performance from left-arm spinner Nashra Sundhu, who produced the spell of her career.
Bowling with precision and control, Nashra dismantled South Africa’s batting order, claiming six wickets for just 26 runs. Her extraordinary spell restricted the Proteas to a modest 115 all out in 25.5 overs, leaving the home side with a manageable chase.
In reply, Pakistan Women chased down the target of 116 runs with relative ease, reaching it in 31 overs for the loss of four wickets. While the victory could not prevent South Africa from sealing the three-match series 2–1, it provided Pakistan with an important morale boost and gave fans at home plenty to cheer about.
Nashra’s six-wicket haul earned her the Player of the Match award. During the post-match presentation, she celebrated the moment with a symbolic gesture, raising her fingers to show the number six—a nod to her remarkable achievement.
For Pakistan, the win was about more than just salvaging pride in the series. It highlighted the team’s growing strength in the bowling department and underlined Nashra’s role as one of the country’s most valuable players. Her ability to combine accuracy, variation, and composure under pressure has consistently made her a key wicket-taker, but this performance cemented her status as a genuine match-winner.
South Africa, who had already won the first two matches to secure the series, struggled against Nashra’s relentless spin and lost wickets in quick succession. None of their batters managed to settle, and the team’s total of 115 was never going to be enough against a determined Pakistani side eager to end the series on a high.
Despite the series loss, Pakistan’s emphatic finish carries significance. It not only boosts team confidence heading into future assignments but also provides inspiration for younger players and fans who continue to follow the growth of women’s cricket in the country. Nashra Sundhu’s standout performance, in particular, is being hailed as a turning point and a moment that will be remembered for years in Pakistan’s women’s cricketing history.
