The Proteas Women are primed for another showdown as they take on their Pakistan counterparts at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Tuesday, aiming to fortify their ICC Women’s Cricket World standing.
Fresh from a dominant victory over Sri Lanka, their fourth consecutive ODI victory, opening bowler Masabata Klaas says the team are ready to face Fatima Sana’s side with focus, discipline, and the same winning mindset that has propelled them into the semi-finals. The Proteas are currently third in the eight team table with eight points.
They have already qualified for next week’s semi-finals, along with Australia and England – currently first and second, respectively, and both one point ahead of the South Africans. India currently occupy the final play-off spot, four points behind the Proteas.
Recently, South Africa beat Pakistan 2-1 in a three-match ODI series, and also notched a third win in four matches against the nation in a warm-up match before the World Cup. Nonetheless, the one loss they suffered, in the third ODI, will no doubt remain concerning for the Proteas, while also giving their opponents on Tuesday a degree of hope.
It was then that the Proteas capitulated in dramatic fashion, collapsing to 115 all out in 25.5 overs, eventually losing the encounter by six wickets. It is for this reason Klaas emphasised that they are not taking Pakistan lightly.
The 34-year-old told the media on Monday: “To be honest, we are ready and we’re just going to keep on doing what’s been working for us.
“We have the positive mindset of winning (Tuesday’s) game. Pakistan are a strong team.
“We cannot just go there and think that it’s going to be a walk in the park. But one thing that’s going to work for us is to stick to the basics and do what we’ve been doing from day one of the World Cup.
“So, we’re not going to take them for granted. Every game is important to us.”
Thus far, the Proteas have only lost their opening World Cup fixture against England by 10 wickets and have beaten New Zealand (by six wickets), India (by three wickets), Bangladesh (by three wickets) and last week Friday Sri Lanka (by 10 wickets).
After the Pakistan game, the Proteas have one more group stage game to prepare for – against tournament favourites Australia. They then will begin preparation for the play-offs against a yet to be determined outfit either next week Wednesday or Thursday.
Klaas reiterated the squad’s ambition: “To be honest, we came here with one goal of winning the trophy. It’s something that every team wants.”
Both teams will be hoping rain stays away in Colombo on Tuesday, as multiple fixtures at the venue have been affected by inclement weather. In that regard, the forecast looks grim. The match is scheduled to get underway at 11.30am.
