LAHORE: A total of 706 runs were scored in 99.5 overs – the second-highest match aggregate in women’s ODIs – as Pakistan Women went down fighting by 16 runs against South Africa Women in the second ODI at Centurion on Wednesday.

Put into bat, South Africa posted a colossal 361 for eight in 50 overs but were given a run for their money by Pakistan, who were dismissed for 345 in 49.5 overs. The win by 16 runs gave South Africa an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, with the third ODI of the ICC Women’s Championship to be played in Durban on Sunday, 1 March.

While there were several star performers in this run-feast, South Africa’s Annerie Dercksen stood out. Batting at No. 5, she scored a 68-ball 90 with six fours and four sixes. Then with the ball, she returned figures of 9-0-59-3. She also held two catches and, in the end, was rightly adjudged player of the match.

Apart from Dercksen, opener Tazmin Brits and No. 4 batter Sune Luus also scored half-centuries. Brits scored 77 from 62 balls with 10 fours and two sixes, while Luus scored a 67-ball 57 with four fours.

While Dercksen and Luus put on 102 runs from 110 balls for the fourth wicket, it was the 62-run sixth-wicket stand between Dercksen and Chloe Tryon (37), and a 45-run eighth-wicket partnership between Nadine de Klerk (49) and Nondumiso Shangase (five not out) that helped South Africa finish with 361 for eight.

Pakistan, in their run-chase, stretched South Africa to the limits before running out of steam to be bowled out for 345 with one ball to spare. Half-centuries by Ayesha Zafar, Sadaf Shams, and Fatima Sana were the highlights of Pakistan’s innings.

No. 4 batter Ayesha Zafar scored 75 from 68 balls with eight fours, while opener Sadaf scored a 62-ball 61 with nine fours. The two batters added 97 runs from 87 balls for the third wicket after Muneeba Ali (5) and Sidra Amin (9) had returned to the dressing room to leave Pakistan wobbling at 24 for two.

After Sadaf’s departure, Ayesha put on 76 runs for the fourth wicket from 60 balls with Natalia Pervaiz (27, 32b, 3 x 4). After Pakistan slipped from 197 for three to 199 for six, Pakistan captain Fatima Sana held the innings together and received valuable support from Syeda Aroob Shah and Diana Baig.

Fatima scored 52 from 36 balls with six fours and a six, Syeda scored a 44-ball 40 with four fours, and Diana struck five fours and a six in a 25-ball 38.

For the seventh wicket, Fatima and Syeda put on 81 runs from 65 balls, while Diana and Syeda added 34 runs from 27 balls for the eighth wicket. After Pakistan slid to 314 for nine, requiring another 48 runs from 20 balls, Diana put on 31 runs from 19 balls for the last wicket with Sadia Iqbal.

Pakistan strongly matched South Africa throughout the chase.

After South Africa scored 155 for three after 25 overs, Pakistan reached 153 for three at the halfway stage. Pakistan were then 262 for six after 40 overs, while South Africa had been 237 for five at the same stage. Pakistan were also seven runs ahead of South Africa after the conclusion of 45 overs, but, despite their best efforts, they were bowled out for 345 to fall short of the target by 16 runs.

Scores in brief:

2nd ODI – South Africa Women beat Pakistan Women by 16 runs

SOUTH AFRICA 361-8, 50 overs (Annerie Dercksen 90, Tazmin Brits 77, Sune Luus 57, Nadine de Klerk 49, Chloe Tryon 37, Laura Wolvaardt 20; Syeda Aroob Shah 2-49, Sadia Iqbal 2-65, Fatima Sana 2-72)

PAKISTAN 345 all-out, 49.5 overs (Ayesha Zafar 75, Sadaf Shams 61, Fatima Sana 52, Syeda Aroob Shah 40, Diana Baig 38, Natalia Pervaiz 27; Annerie Dercksen 3-59, Nondumiso Shangase 2-30, Nadine de Klerk 2-66, Nonkululeko Mlaba 2-68)

Player of the match – Annerie Dercksen (South Africa)

1st ODI – South Africa Women beat Pakistan Women by 37 runs

3rd ODI – Sunday, 1 March, Durban