Pakistan edge South Africa in low-scorer

Offspinner Nida Dar led Pakistan women's bowlers in restricting South Africa women to 125 for 8, before Bismah Maroof anchored a close chase to help the side home by four wickets in the final over. The win was Pakistan's second in as many games in the tri-series, and it ensures them a place in the final with the first South Africa-Ireland game having been washed out.

South Africa chose to bat and, though they lost their first wicket to seamer Qanita Jalil, they were soon carved up by Dar. She picked up three wickets in four overs to have South Africa reeling at 40 for 4 by the 21st. They never recovered. While they batted out their overs, the Pakistan bowlers held a tight rein on the scoring all through.

Pakistan suffered a couple of hiccups in the chase. First they went from 15 for no loss to 16 for 2, and then from 61 for 2 to 90 for 5. Through much of the jitteriness, Maroof, batting at No. 4, held firm. She made amends for getting out for a duck in the previous match, batting through the innings for her 60. Only when the scores were level, did she fall, run out by Shandre Fritz.

South Africa captain Mignon du Preez said her side needed to adjust quickly to the conditions. "We got a good taste of the conditions today but were unfortunately unable to produce the win," she said. "The wicket is definitely not what we are used to but we knew that before we arrived. The key for us now is to pick ourselves up and use tomorrow to sharpen the skills that fell short today.

"We only recently arrived here in Doha and now that the first-match glitches have been identified after our rained out match yesterday, we will make sure they have been ironed out by Tuesday when we play Ireland."