Left-arm spinner ends up with career-best figures of 6-26 as Proteas bundled out in 26 overs; Green Shirts win by 6 wickets as Nashra shares her journey with Dawn.com.
Abyan Amir Published September 22, 2025 Updated about 2 hours ago
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Nashra Sandhu-inspired Pakistan made easy work of South Africa with a 6-wicket win in their final one-day international (ODI) in the lead-up to the Women’s World Cup on Monday.
The left-arm spinner ended up with career-best figures of 6-26 as the Proteas were skittled out for 115 within 26 overs at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore — before the Women in Green chased it down with 19 overs to spare.
South Africa rested five key players, including the player-of-the-match from their last encounter — Tazmin Brits — who had scored a mammoth unbeaten 171 in the match on Friday.
Nashra’s journey
Nashra had spoken to Dawn.com ahead of the Green Shirts series against Ireland, where she shared her cricketing journey.
She discussed her struggles as a woman cricketer, the facilities available to girls in cricket today, and the potential for a women’s Pakistan Super League.
Nashra also talked about how she ended up as a left-arm spinner in a country obsessed with fast bowlers.
“I was a fast bowler, but my university coach suggested that you’re a left-armer and aren’t that tall — so you should try spin, and I already used to bowl a bit of spin at home,” Nashra said.
The final ODI before the World Cup
The Green Shirts were bowling first after losing the toss in their third and final ODI of the series, which was won by South Africa 2-1.
Proteas skipper Laura Wolvaardt called the coin toss correctly at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and chose to bat first.
Eyman Fatima made her debut for the Green Shirts, and spin all-rounder Syeda Aroob Shah returned to the side.
Nashra started her six-wicket haul by dismissing Proteas’ Sune Luus, and the South African batters never recovered as the blows continued.
She was adjudicated player-of-the-match for her tremendous performance with the ball on a track which was a typical Lahore wicket.
Nashra became the third — following Nida Dar and Sana Mir — and the fastest among Pakistan bowlers to the 100 ODI wickets milestone — reaching there in just 74 innings.)
Skipper Fatima Sana survived an injury scare when she was hit on her shin by a drive by Wolvaardt in her second over. She was taken out of the ground on a stretcher, but returned later in the innings.
South Africa began briskly, reaching 38 without loss in 6.3 overs through skipper Wolvaardt’s 28 off 23 balls, which comprised of six fours.
South Africa’s promising start was disrupted when Laura hit one straight to Muneeba off Diana Baig.
