Pakistan’s Nashra Sandhu delivered a career-best performance on Monday, taking six wickets for 26 runs against South Africa. The match was the third and final ODI of the series at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Sandhu’s 6/26 restricted South Africa to just 115 runs. Her performance made her the third Pakistani woman to surpass 100 ODI wickets, joining Sana Mir and Nida Dar. She achieved the milestone in her 75th ODI.
During her spell, Sandhu dismissed key batters, including Sune Luus, Miane Smit, Anneke Bosch, Sinalo Jafta, Chloe Tryon, and Nadine de Klerk. Her figures are now the second-best in Pakistan women’s ODI history, behind Sajjida Shah’s 7/4 against Japan in 2003.
South Africa struggled throughout their innings. Only Laura Wolvaardt managed double figures, scoring 28, while five of their batters failed to reach ten runs. Pakistan’s disciplined bowling, led by Sandhu, ensured a quick collapse in 26 overs.
Chasing 116 runs, Pakistan comfortably reached the target in 31 overs, finishing at 116/4. Sidra Amin scored an unbeaten 50, and Muneeba Ali added 44. Pakistan secured a six-wicket victory, providing a morale boost despite South Africa winning the series 2-1.
Sandhu’s performance ranks among the best by Asian left-arm spinners in women’s ODIs. She surpassed Indian spinners Ekta Bisht and Rajeshwari Gayakwad, as well as Bangladesh’s Nahida Akter.
Born in Lahore on November 19, 1997, Nashra Sandhu is a slow left-arm orthodox bowler and a right-hand batter. She made her ODI debut in 2017 and has since become a key part of Pakistan’s spin attack. Monday’s spell further cements her status as one of Asia’s top women cricketers.
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