Laura Wolvaardt half-century helps Proteas Women beat Pakistan

All-rounder Aliya Riaz, who scored an unbeaten 48 with the bat for Pakistan, rounded off a good game by taking two for 24, including the wicket of Wolvaardt.

Earlier, Pakistan posted 142 for five thanks mainly to Riaz’s 30-ball innings which included seven fours and a six.

Pakistan lost opener Sidra Ameen in the sixth over with Proteas left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba piercing through her defence to bowl her for nine.

The 22-year-old Mlaba was once again a star of the show for the home team with the ball and she will play a major role in the World Cup starting against Sri Lanka at Newlands in Cape Town on Friday (7pm).

The KZN turner was superb in the recently concluded Tri-Series against India and the West Indies being instrumental in her team winning the tournament.

In the five matches she played at Buffalo Park in East London, Mlaba took six wickets for 52 runs in 16 overs at a miserly economy rate of 3.25 per over.

At Boland Park on Wednesday, she was at it again, opening the bowling with her accurate spin and conceding only nine in her first three overs. She came back for her last at the death and finished with tight figures of one for 17.

Seamer Ayabonga Khaka was the most successful of the SA bowlers, claiming two for 23 in her three overs.