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.
Manoj Sekhani
October 22, 2025 AT 14:40Honestly the scoreboard speaks louder than any pundit‑drama – South Africa simply outclassed Pakistan in every department.
Tuto Win10
October 23, 2025 AT 05:56What a seismic statement from the Proteas – 312 runs on a flat Colombo wicket is nothing short of historic!
Laura Wolvaardt anchored the innings with a poised 78, proving she’s not just a captain but a true run‑machine!
Marizanne Kapp’s three‑for‑20 shredded the Pakistani middle order, turning the match into a demolition derby!
Ayabonga Khaka’s fifty was seasoned with crisp cuts and powerful drives that sent the ball screaming to the boundary!
Even the occasional drizzle could not dampen the South African fire, as the DLS adjustment only confirmed their dominance!
Pakistan’s chase collapsed after the early wicket of Sidra Nawaz, a clear indicator that the pressure cooker was turned on too early!
The run‑out of Rameen Shamim was the final nail in the coffin, sealing a 150‑run victory that will echo through the tournament!
Fans across India tuned in on Star Sports and felt the adrenaline rush, while Willow TV viewers in the US celebrated the spectacle!
Statistically, this is the highest total ever recorded in a Women’s World Cup, eclipsing the Australian 305 in 2022!
The ICC’s new development fund is a step forward, yet performances like today’s show that elite funding still matters!
The Proteas’ fielding was razor‑sharp, with catches taken on the half‑volley and a throw from deep that broke the wicket!
Every boundary struck was a reminder that women’s cricket is entering a new era of power hitting and strategic depth!
Critics who dismissed the tournament as a side‑show now have to eat their words – this match was pure gold!
The upcoming semifinal against either India or England promises another roller‑coaster, and the world will be watching!
Bottom line: South Africa turned the Colombo night into a masterclass, and the rest of the world should take notes!
Kiran Singh
October 24, 2025 AT 00:00Everyone’s calling it a masterpiece, but the pitch was a cakewalk for the Proteas.
anil antony
October 24, 2025 AT 15:00While the surface may have been benign, the real issue lies in Pakistan’s frail batting order that crumbled under a disciplined bowling attack. Their top‑order failed to post a partnership, leaving the middle order exposed and the run‑rate unsustainable. The Proteas capitalized with textbook aggression, showcasing why their power‑hitting is now a benchmark for the game. In short, it wasn’t the pitch; it was a textbook collapse.
Aditi Jain
October 25, 2025 AT 07:06India’s cricket connoisseurs recognize that such displays underline the urgency for our own women’s side to step up. If we channel the same ferocity, the world stage will be ours. Let the Proteas bask in their moment while we prepare to rewrite the narrative.
arun great
October 26, 2025 AT 00:20The Proteas executed their game plan flawlessly – a solid top‑order foundation, aggressive middle‑order acceleration, and a death‑overs bowling spell that kept the pressure on. As a coach, I’d highlight Kapp’s line‑and‑length discipline and Wolvaardt’s elegant stroke‑play as template material for upcoming talent. It’s encouraging to see such depth in women’s cricket, and fans worldwide deserve a celebration. 🎉🏏
Anirban Chakraborty
October 26, 2025 AT 15:53Seeing that level of execution makes it clear why we need more grassroots funding; otherwise the gap will only widen. The on‑field brilliance should translate into off‑field opportunities for aspiring girls. Let’s push the boards to act.
Krishna Saikia
October 27, 2025 AT 06:36It’s a proud moment for any nation that respects disciplined cricket, and South Africa delivered it with flair. While India waits for its turn, we can learn from the Proteas’ relentless aggression. Their victory isn’t just a win; it’s a statement about what disciplined training can achieve. Respect to the players for setting such a high bar.
Meenal Khanchandani
October 27, 2025 AT 22:26The match showed that hard work beats hype every time.
Anurag Kumar
October 28, 2025 AT 15:23For anyone who missed the live action, the full replay is up on the ICC website and on Willow TV’s on‑demand portal. The next big game will be the South Africa semifinal on 27 October – keep an eye on the schedule so you don’t miss it. If you’re new to the sport, the highlights give a solid showcase of modern women’s cricket.
Prashant Jain
October 29, 2025 AT 06:40The semifinals will be a true test; if South Africa relaxes, they’ll get clobbered.
DN Kiri (Gajen) Phangcho
October 29, 2025 AT 23:20Let’s keep the conversation constructive and encourage all teams to grow – every nation brings something valuable to the tournament