After losing captain Laura Wolvaardt in the first over of the match, South Africa never managed to get going and was bowled out for 185 (48.1 overs) in the third and last ODI against Pakistan at the National Stadium in Karachi.

Winning the toss and opening the batting with Tazmin Brits, Wolvaardt only faced three deliveries before being bowled for nought by left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal. The Protea captain has been struggling in the series, with scores of 17 and 13.

Lara Goodall joined Brits and hit the first boundary of the match in the fourth over from the bowling of Diana Baig, playing in her 50th ODI for Pakistan. Settling in, Brits started applying pressure on debutant Waheeda Akhtar with well-placed shots punishing poor deliveries.

Goodall had to retire hurt in the eight over with her score on 13 and the South African total on 35 for one after she was struck hard by a shot from Brits from the bowling of Diana. The in-form Sune Luus, who scored 107 not out in the first ODI, joined Brits.

South Africa’s 50th was up in the 12th over with Brits on 31 and Luus on 4. The third umpire was called into action in the same over when Brits hit a ball straight back to Diana and the question was asked whether it was a bump ball. The decision was in favour of the home team, much to the dismay of Brits, who had to depart for 32 (31b, 6x4) and with the Proteas on 52 for two.

Marizanne Kapp walked out to the middle to join Luus. It was their 183-run partnership for the fourth wicket during the first ODI that started South Africa off on a winning note in the series. Their exploits would however not be repeated as Luus couldn’t get the necessary elevation on a delivery from Pakistan captain Nida Dar when she tried to go over the top and was caught by Aliya Riaz for 10 (24b, 1x4). South Africa were 63 for three.

Goodall returned to the field after earlier leaving to get treatment for her injury. It was up to her and Kapp to relieve the pressure from the Pakistan bowlers who managed to send down 24 deliveries without conceding a run. This pressure worked as Goodall was pushed back on her wickets and got caught by Nida Dar off the bowling of Nashra Sandhu for 13 (29b, 1x4). South Africa were wobbling on 64 for four.

Nadine de Klerk and Kapp hit 36 for the fifth wicket and took the score to 100 in the 28th over before Kapp was caught by Nashra off the bowling of Sadia for 21 (41b 1x4).

Just when it seemed that De Klerk and Delmi Tucker were finally going to give the South Africans some momentum, Nashra got the breakthrough in the 37th over when Tucker was stumped by wicketkeeper Muneeba Ali for 25 (28b 4x4) and with the score on 137.

South Africa slumped to 145 for seven at the start of the 39th over when Sinalo Jafta (6, 7b, 1x4) was run-out after a mix up with De Klerk. The very next ball, the score became 145 for eight when debutant Waheeda Akhtar picked up her first ODI wicket after bowling Nondumiso Shangase for a duck.

Ayabonga Khaka only lasted ten deliveries before she was trapped lbw by Nida for eight and with the score on 160.

Fighting a lone battle with the bat to give South Africa a respectable total to defend, De Klerk got her first ODI 50 (87b, 3x4) in the 46th over with the score on 174 for nine. She was eventually the last wicket to fall (60, 95b, 3x4), when Diana took a catch off the bowling of Aliya. Masabata Klaas was not out on five.

Nashra took two for 37 (10), Sadia two for 26 (10) and Nida two for 31 (10).

SOUTH AFRICA:  Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Britz, Lara Goodall, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, Delmi Tucker, Sinalo Jafta, Nondumiso Shangase, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas.

PAKISTAN: Nida Dar (capt), Sidra Ameen, Sadaf Shamas, Bismah Maroof, Muneeba Ali, Aliya Riaz, Omaima Sohail, Diana Baig, Waheeda Akhtar, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal.