Every once in a while, a performance comes along that makes you sit up and say: This is history in the making. On Monday at the Gaddafi Stadium, Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu delivered just that, a six-wicket haul that not only dismantled South Africa’s batting line-up but also etched her name firmly into the record books.
Sandhu’s Record-Breaking Spell
Playing her 75th ODI, Nashra was simply unplayable. Her figures of 6 for 26 in nine overs were the best of her career and the second-best ever by a Pakistani bowler in women’s ODIs. Only Sajjida Shah’s remarkable 7 for 4 against Japan back in 2003 stands ahead of her.
In doing so, Nashra also pushed ICC Hall of Famer Sana Mir down a notch in the rankings, overtaking her famous 5 for 32 against the Netherlands in 2010.
And if that wasn’t enough, she reached another milestone by becoming just the third Pakistani woman to cross the 100-wicket mark in ODIs, joining Sana Mir and Nida Dar in elite company.
Pakistan’s Best Bowling Figures in Women’s ODIs
- Sajjida Shah – 7/4 vs Japan (2003)
- Nashra Sandhu – 6/26 vs South Africa (2025)
- Sana Mir – 5/32 vs Netherlands (2010)
South Africa Crumble Under Pressure
South Africa, who had already secured the series 2-0, looked completely undone by Pakistan’s bowling discipline.
Captain Laura Wolvaardt offered brief resistance with a handy 28, while Masabata Klaas and Nadine de Klerk added 13 each. But beyond that, it was a collapse; five batters failed to reach double figures as the visitors folded for just 115 in 25.5 overs.
It wasn’t just about the wickets for Nashra, it was the pressure she created, the way she attacked with flight and accuracy, leaving South Africa with no answers.
Pakistan’s Comfortable Chase
In response, Pakistan kept things simple. Chasing 116, opener Sidra Amin anchored the innings beautifully, playing with patience and confidence. Her unbeaten 50 off 94 balls, laced with eight fours, ensured there were no nerves.
She fittingly sealed the win with a boundary as Pakistan crossed the line with 114 balls to spare. Despite the four wickets that fell, the Girls in Green never looked in trouble. It was a performance that underlined the depth and grit within this side.
South Africa may have won the series 2-1, but Nashra Sandhu’s spell gave Pakistan a timely confidence boost heading into the ICC Women’s World Cup later this month.
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