- The Proteas women will don black kit for Saturday's Black Day ODI against Pakistan at Kingsmead.
- Proteas fast bowler Shabnim Ismail is gearing up for a "special" 100th ODI as the Proteas fight against gender based violence.
- Ismail starred with the ball in the opening ODI, which saw the Proteas win by three runs.
Proteas fast bowler Shabnim Ismail says that the Proteas women are eager to take a stand ahead of Saturday's Black Day ODI at Kingsmead.
Ismail led the charge as South Africa narrowly edged the Pakistan women by three runs in the first of three ODIs on Wednesday.
Player of the match Ismail took three for 42 as the Proteas defended 200 in their first competitive game since last year March.
Next up is the inaugural 'Black Day' ODI, which will see the Proteas women don black in support of the fight against gender-based violence (GBV).
This initiative by Cricket South Africa (CSA) was further inspired by President Cyril Ramaphosa's continued call to end gender-based violence and femicide.
Ismail is looking forward to standing up and raising awareness of gender-based violence in South Africa and around the world.
"We stand for what's right for our country. We want to end it and showing it through sport that it is a big issue and it isn't something small," said Ismail.
"Seeing the ladies diving into the initiative and that gender-based violence needs to end and this is something that we can do and stand for."
Ismail echoed CSA's hope that the 'Black Day' ODI this Saturday will be as successful as the men's 'Pink Day' ODI for breast cancer.
"We always spoke about the men's Pink Day and why we never got the opportunities, and now for us to get the first black day it's really huge for us. CSA and Momentum have taken a huge initiative and made it our own and it's really special for us."
CSA has invited to the South African public to rally behind the Proteas women by wearing black on Saturday and using #EndGBV on social media platforms to create awareness.
Saturday's Black ODI will be doubly special for Ismail as she will play her 100th ODI for the Proteas.
The 32-year-old will become the fifth South African woman to reach the centurion milestone.
Ismail is hoping to replicate the same magic on Saturday as the Proteas look to seal the series.
"I prepare every game like it's a final even if it's a practice match. It's going to be a special day with my 100th game and to make it more special, I'd like to get another player of the match (award). But I mainly want to contribute and put on a good team performance overall."
The second ODI against Pakistan is scheduled to start at 10:00.
Most-capped Proteas women in ODI (as of 21 January 2020):
1. Mignon du Preez - 131 matches*
2. Trisha Chetty - 112 matches*
3. Marizanne Kapp - 109 matches*
4. Dane van Niekerk - 102 matches*
5. Shabnim Ismail - 99 matches*
6. Lizelle Lee - 83 matches*
7. Sune Luus - 80 matches*
8. Chloe Tryon - 77 matches*
9. Cri-zelda Brits - 69 matches
10. Marcia Letsoalo - 68 matches
*still active players
Proteas women's squad for Pakistan series:
Sune Luus (captain), Laura Wolvaardt, Trisha Chetty (wicketkeeper), Mignon du Preez, Shabnim Ismail, Lizelle Lee, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Nadine de Klerk, Tumi Sekhukhune, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Lara Goodall, Nondumiso Shangase, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Faye Tunnicliffe, Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits