Pakistan Women Vs South Africa Women: Wolvaardt bowls in Black Day ODI as Zafar, Sana and Shah seek late fightback
Pakistan Women Vs South Africa Women meet in the third and final ODI on March 1, 2026 at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead in Durban, with South Africa already sealing the three-match series 2-0 and Laura Wolvaardt winning the toss and electing to bowl first.
South Africa hold the series after wins in Bloemfontein and Centurion
South Africa’s 2-0 lead follows victories by 37 runs in the opener and 16 runs in the second ODI, with the Proteas also having taken the preceding T20 International series 2-1; Wolvaardt’s toss call came on Sunday morning at Kingsmead. The third match is effectively a finale for the tour, with the teams meeting on March 1 at Kingsmead, Durban (1: 30 PM IST / 3: 00 a. m. ET).
Pakistan Women Vs South Africa Women: Top 3 Pakistan players to watch
Pakistan will turn to three performers who have stood out amid the defeats: Ayesha Zafar, Fatima Sana and Syeda Aroob Shah. Zafar tops Pakistan’s run chart with 156 runs across two innings at a strike rate of 96. 29 and an average of 78, producing consecutive half-centuries — 81 off 94 from No. 4 in the first ODI’s second innings and 75 off 68 in the second ODI.
Captain Fatima Sana has contributed 57 runs at a strike rate of 126. 66 and an average of 28. 50 across two innings, including a half-century, and has taken 2 wickets at an economy of 7. 93 in her bowling spells; her all-round form is singled out for action in this dead rubber. Leg-spinner Syeda Aroob Shah has claimed 3 wickets at an average of 29. 33 with an economy of 4. 88 in two innings and added 48 runs at a strike rate of 90. 56 and an average of 24 with the bat.
Wolvaardt wins toss, opts to bowl on 'Black Day'
Wolvaardt’s decision to bowl first at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead comes as the fixture doubles as the sixth 'Black Day' to raise awareness and funds against Gender Based Violence in South Africa. The playing XIs named for the match list South Africa with Laura Wolvaardt (captain), Tazmin Brits, Faye Tunnicliffe, Sune Luus, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta (wkt), Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Tumi Sekhukhune, Ayanda Hlubi and Nonkululeko Mlaba.
Pakistan’s XI is set as Gull Feroza, Sadaf Shamas, Sidra Amin, Ayesha Zafar, Najiha Alvi (wkt), Fatima Sana (captain), Syeda Aroob Shah, Umm-e-Hani, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal and Tasmia Rubab for the third ODI at Kingsmead.
What comes next
The third ODI — the series finale — starts on March 1 at Kingsmead, Durban at 1: 30 PM IST (3: 00 a. m. ET). With South Africa already unassailable at 2-0, Pakistan will aim for a consolation win while South Africa will look to finish the tour unbeaten in the ODI set.
