Day 11 Talking Points CWC22: Pakistan's curious call, Kapp's all-round heroics lead South Africa to victory
Seddon Park, Hamilton - 14 March 2022
M12 Innings Highlights: Pakistan v Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s top order has provided a strong platform in their three matches so far, with opening stands of 69, 59 and 37.
Fargana Hoque opened and notched a half-century in their last match against New Zealand and more than backed it up after sliding to first-drop for this clash with Pakistan.
The 28-year-old took a while to get going but the runs eventually started to flow and she passed the 50-mark for the second consecutive innings.
It was an assured knock that ended with 71 runs off 115 balls, including five boundaries, when a big swing got a little nick as Hoque looked to hit out in the 47th over.
The No.25 batter in the MRF Tyres Women’s ODI rankings is proving to be worth the wait in Bangladesh's first appearance at a Women’s World Cup.
Highlights: Fargana Hoque stars with the bat for Bangladesh
The team batting first had been victorious in all three CWC22 matches played at Seddon Park before the clash between Pakistan and Bangladesh, although this was the first time both teams would bat during the day.
It was still a curious call when Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl and it quickly looked like one that had backfired as the Bangladesh top-order made a fine start and the team ultimately reached their highest-ever score in Women’s ODIs with 234/7.
Pakistan’s own top-order and in particular centurion Sidra Ameen gave their team a chance to chase down the competitive total with a slow and steady approach that protected their wickets.
But from 183/2 in the 42nd over the Pakistan batters weren’t able to ramp up the run chase without causing a collapse that saw five wickets fall for just five runs and left skipper Bismah Maroof with questions to consider at the next toss.
Three wickets in an over turn the match for Bangladesh
The one constant during the Pakistan innings was that of opener Sidra Ameen, who batted all the way through until the 48th over to almost single-handedly drag her side over the line.
Not only did Ameen register her first ODI century, it was also the first time any Pakistan player had reached triple figures at an ICC Women's Cricket World Cup.
The 29-year-old's knock came from 140 deliveries and featured just eight boundaries as she cleverly moved the field around without taking too many risks.
It all proved in vain though, with Ameen's late run out proving the final nail in the coffin for Pakistan as Bangladesh took the two competition points.
Highlights: Sidra Ameen hits stirring century
Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui - 14 March 2022
The South African pacer has always been a fiery character with the big contest bringing the best out of her. The big clash against England was no different number eighth-ranked pacer in the MRF Tyres ICC Women's ODI player rankings for bowlers.
She ripped through the England batting order, bowling with great intensity and registering the best bowling figures in the 2022 edition of the tournament so far. Her wickets included the scalps of Danni Wyatt, England skipper Heather Knight, Sophia Dunkley, Katherine Brunt and Kate Cross.
Making full use of the conditions on offer at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, Kapp ensured that the England batting innings never took full flight and they would be restricted to 235/9 in their 50 overs.
The figures would also be a memorable achievement for Kapp – the first fiver-wicket haul of her storied international career and one that would ensure that South Africa had a major opportunity to deliver a gigantic blow to the defending champions.
Highlights: Marizanne Kapp does the damage with five wickets
During the chase, South Africa were in command for the majority of the innings. Laura Wolvaardt was at her serene best, notching up her second fifty of the tournament. But Sophie Ecclestone with some tight bowling turned the tide around for England.
Wolvaardt's wicket on 77 by Cross would open up the doors for the defending champions. Marizanne Kapp would now have to put in the work with the bat and stitch together a partnership with the lower-order. She did exactly that, first putting on a 30-run stand with Chloe Tryon, before the latter was unfortunately run-out at the non-striker's end.
Then she would stitch a partnership of 27 with Trisha Chetty before she was trapped on 32 by Anya Shrubsole.
Chetty and Shabnim Ismail though would remain ice-cool in the final moments of the game, sealing a victory with four deliveries remaining.
The victory continued South Africa's unbeaten run at the tournament. England on the other hand, are in a world of trouble, remaining winless with their campaign hanging by a thread.
M13 Mid-Innings Highlights: South Africa v England
