Pakistan’s Nashra Sandhu delivered the performance of her career on Monday, etching her name into the record books with a devastating six-wicket haul against South Africa in the third and final ODI at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Her spell of 6 for 26 not only dismantled the visitors for just 115 runs but also made her only the third Pakistani bowler to cross the 100-wicket milestone in women’s ODIs.
Career-best spell in 75th ODI
Sandhu, playing her 75th ODI, ripped through South Africa’s batting order in just nine overs. Her scalps included key batters Sune Luus (25), Miane Smit (7), Anneke Bosch (8), Sinalo Jafta (13), Chloe Tryon (0) and Nadine de Klerk (10).
Her figures of 6/26 are now the second-best in Pakistan women’s ODI history, surpassing Sana Mir’s 5/32 against the Netherlands in 2010. The record remains with Sajjida Shah, who produced an incredible 7/4 against Japan in 2003.
Pakistan’s elite bowling club
With her six-wicket burst, Sandhu joined an exclusive club of Pakistani bowlers with 100 ODI wickets.
- Sana Mir – 151 wickets in 120 matches
- Nida Dar – 108 wickets in 112 matches
- Nashra Sandhu – 104 wickets in 74 matches
South Africa crumble to 115
Put in to bat first, South Africa never found their rhythm. Skipper Laura Wolvaardt top-scored with a brisk 28, while Klaas and de Klerk chipped in with 13 each. Five of their batters failed to reach double figures as Pakistan’s disciplined attack tightened the screws.
The innings folded inside 26 overs, leaving Pakistan with a modest chase.
Pakistan wrap up consolation victory
In reply, Pakistan reached the target comfortably, scoring 116/4 in 31 overs. Sidra Amin anchored the chase with an unbeaten 50, while Muneeba Ali supported her with 44. The six-wicket win gave Pakistan a morale-boosting finish to the series, even though South Africa had already secured a 2-1 victory.
Among Asia’s best left-arm spinners
Sandhu’s 6/26 is now among the top bowling figures by Asian left-arm spinners in women’s ODIs. She ranks above Indian legends Ekta Bisht and Rajeshwari Gayakwad, as well as Bangladesh’s Nahida Akter and Sri Lanka’s Sachini Nisansala.
Top 3 Asian left-arm ODI figures:
- Nashra Sandhu (Pakistan) – 6/26 vs South Africa, 2025
- Ekta Bisht (India) – 5/8 vs Pakistan, 2017
- Rajeshwari Gayakwad (India) – 5/15 vs New Zealand, 2017
Who is Nashra Sandhu?
Born on November 19, 1997, in Lahore, Sandhu is a slow left-arm orthodox bowler and right-hand bat. She made her ODI debut in 2017 against South Africa during the Women’s World Cup Qualifier.
Since then, she has become a vital part of Pakistan’s spin arsenal. Monday’s spell in Lahore was not only her career-best but also the moment she cemented her status as one of Asia’s premier spinners.
