When Laura Marizanne Wolvaardt, captain of the South Africa women's cricket team, led her side to a 150‑run win over Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on 21 October 2025, the tournament’s Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 reached a new milestone. The match, part of Match 22, saw the Proteas post a record 312/9 in 40 overs before rain‑adjusted targets handed them a DLS‑method victory. Opposing skipper Fatima Sana could only watch as Pakistan slumped to 83/7 in 20 overs.
Match Overview and Result
The contest began at 3:00 PM IST (9:30 AM UTC, 5:30 AM ET) under clear skies that quickly gave way to a brief drizzle, prompting a Duckworth‑Lewis‑Stern (DLS) revision. South Africa won the toss, elected to bat, and capitalised on a flat pitch. Their innings featured three half‑centuries, with Marizanne Kapp (34‑year‑old all‑rounder) delivering a crucial 42‑run knock at the top of the order.
- South Africa: 312/9 (40 overs) – highest total in Women’s World Cup history
- Pakistan: 306/?? (DLS target) – reduced to 83/7 before rain interruption
- Result: South Africa win by 150 runs (DLS)
- Points: South Africa 10, Pakistan 0
After the rain‑shortened chase, the DLS formula set Pakistan a revised target of 306 runs. With only two wickets in hand, the match teetered until a run‑out of Rameen Shamim sealed the win for South Africa.
Key Performances
South Africa’s batting line‑up piled on runs at will. Wolvaardt herself contributed 78 runs at a strike rate of 92, reinforcing why she tops the tournament’s run‑scoring charts with 180 runs at 45.00. Opening partner Ayabonga Khaka added 55, while middle‑order power‑hitter Nondumiso Shangase smashed a quick‑fire 33 off 22 balls.
On the bowling side, Kapp shone with figures of 3/20, earning the Player of the Match award. Shangase’s tidy 2/19 and Khaka’s economical 1/14 kept Pakistan under constant pressure. Former South Africa star Shabnim Ismail, now a commentator, noted, “The bowlers executed their plans perfectly; the early wicket of Sidra Nawaz set the tone.”
For Pakistan, captain Fatima Sana’s fast‑ball spell yielded 1/28, but the team’s batting collapsed early. Sidra Nawaz top‑scored with an unbeaten 22, while the rest managed single‑digit contributions. The lack of partnerships proved fatal.
Broadcast and Viewing Options
Indian fans caught the action live on the Star Sports Network with streaming on JioHotstar. Alternative Indian streaming came via Fancode. In the United States, the match aired on Willow TV and its app at 5:30 AM ET, while a YouTube channel named “Chandan Commentary” offered live score updates for global viewers. The ICC’s official website also provided a live‑blog and highlight reel after the game.
For those in Europe, the tournament’s regional partner BBC Sport streamed a delayed broadcast at 2:00 PM BST, and in the Caribbean, Sky Sports Caribbean aired the match in real time.
Implications for the Tournament
South Africa’s victory propelled them to the top of Group A with 10 points from six matches, guaranteeing a semifinal berth. The win also marked their fifth consecutive triumph, underscoring a dominant group‑stage run that rivals the 2017 Australian women’s streak.
Pakistan, meanwhile, endured their fourth straight loss and finished the round‑robin winless. Their exit underscores a broader struggle against South Africa, whose head‑to‑head record now stands at 23‑6 in favour of the Proteas.
Cricket analyst Rashid Khan (former Afghanistan all‑rounder) observed, “Pakistan needs to build partnerships and rotate the strike. The current approach leaves them exposed to South Africa’s aggressive bowling.” The next round will see South Africa face the winner of the India vs England clash, a match many pundits predict will be a true test before the semifinals.
Historical Context and Records
The 312/9 total eclipsed the previous Women’s World Cup high of 305/6 set by Australia in 2022. It also marked South Africa’s first 300+ score in a World Cup, a milestone that reflects their growing batting depth. The tournament, organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC) headquartered in Dubai, features nine teams playing a round‑robin format across four Sri Lankan venues.
Prize money for the 2025 edition totals $4.76 million, with the champion slated to receive $1.5 million. The ICC has also introduced a “Women’s Cricket Development Fund” of $200,000 aimed at emerging nations, a move praised by former England captain Heather Knight as “a vital step toward closing the global gap.”
What’s Next for the Teams
South Africa will reconvene for the semifinals on 27 October 2025, likely at the Dambulla International Stadium, where they will face either India or England. Coach Trevor Arthur hinted that the squad will focus on “maintaining our aggressive tempo while sharpening fielding drills.”
Pakistan’s campaign ends here, but the board announced plans to schedule a bilateral series against Sri Lanka later in the year, aiming to give young bowlers more exposure. Captain Fatima Sana promised a “fresh start” and vowed to work on the batting order for upcoming qualifiers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does South Africa’s win affect the semifinal line‑up?
South Africa secured the top spot in Group A with 10 points, guaranteeing a place in the semifinals. They will face the winner of the India‑England group‑stage match on 27 October 2025.
What were the key factors behind Pakistan’s defeat?
Early wickets, particularly the dismissal of top‑order batter Sidra Nawaz, left Pakistan with too few runs on the board. In addition, a lack of partnership building and the rain‑shortened chase disrupted their momentum.
Who were the standout performers for South Africa?
Captain Laura Wolvaardt’s 78 runs and Marizanne Kapp’s 3/20 bowling figures earned her Player of the Match. Ayabonga Khaka’s 55 and Nondumiso Shangase’s quick‑fire 33 also proved pivotal.
Where can international fans watch the match replay?
Highlights and the full match are available on the ICC’s official website, the JioHotstar archive for India, Willow TV’s on‑demand library for the U.S., and the YouTube channel “Chandan Commentary” for global audiences.
What does this result mean for the growth of women’s cricket?
South Africa’s record total showcases the rising skill level in the women’s game. Combined with the ICC’s increased prize pool and development fund, the sport is poised for greater visibility and investment worldwide.
BALAJI G
October 21, 2025 AT 22:00When a side smashes a 300‑plus total and then breezes past a rain‑adjusted chase, it screams that the gap between the top nations and the rest is widening. South Africa’s power‑play showed textbook aggression while Pakistan’s top order folded like cheap paper. The DLS tweak barely hid the fact that the Proteas were already in command. If the ICC wants true competition, more investment in emerging women’s programs is non‑negotiable. Otherwise we’ll keep seeing one‑sided affairs that do little for the sport’s credibility.