Historic win for Pakistan women as they clinch T20I Series against New Zealand
Asher
Butt
The Pakistan women’s
cricket team, in a groundbreaking achievement, secured an unprecedented series
win against New Zealand women by defeating them by 10 runs in the second T20I
at the University of Otago Oval in Dunedin on Tuesday.
This triumph marks the
first-ever series win by the Pakistani women's team over New Zealand, and they now
hold an unassailable lead in the three-match T20I series.
Pakistan, opting to bat, set a
formidable target of 138 runs for New Zealand. Muneeba Ali's dynamic innings of
35 runs off 28 balls and Aliya Riaz's unbeaten 32 off 22 balls played pivotal
roles in achieving the highest score (137/6) against New Zealand in this
format. Riaz, named Player of the Match, showcased her batting prowess with
three fours and a six.
Facing the Pakistani bowling
attack, New Zealand struggled to build momentum, and the Pakistan bowlers
maintained tight control. Nashra Sundhu, celebrating her 50th T20I match,
exhibited economical bowling, conceding only 22 runs in four overs. Captain
Nida Dar, who became the joint-leading wicket-taker in Women’s T20Is, dismissed
Maddy Green to increase her tally to 130 wickets in the format.
The star performer with the ball
was once again Fatima Sana, who took three crucial wickets, including those of
captain Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates. Sadia Iqbal chipped in with two wickets
for 29 runs in four overs.
Expressing her joy, Aliya Riaz
credited the entire team for the historic victory and emphasized the collective
effort. She expressed her long-standing dream of beating a top team finally
coming true and highlighted the importance of teamwork in this monumental win.
Pakistan women’s team, now
eyeing a clean sweep, will head to Queenstown for the third and final T20I
against New Zealand on Saturday, December 9, aiming to conclude the series with
a 3-0 triumph.
Brief scores:
Pakistan women beat New Zealand
women by 10 runs
Pakistan women 137-6, 20 overs
(Muneeba Ali 35, Aliya Riaz 32 not out, Bismah Maroof 21; Molly Penfold 2-17,
Fran Jonas 2-21)
New Zealand women 127-7, 20
overs (Hannah Rowe 33, Georgia Plimmer 28, Suzie Bates 18, Maddy Green 18;
Fatima Sana 3-22, Sadia Iqbal 2-29)
Player of the match – Aliya Riaz
(Pakistan)
Series schedule:
3 Dec – 1st T20I, Dunedin
(Pakistan women beat New Zealand women by seven wickets)
5 Dec – 2nd T20I, Dunedin
(Pakistan women beat New Zealand women by 10 runs)
9 Dec – 3rd T20I, Queenstown
(1pm local time)
12 Dec – 1st ODI, Queenstown
(11am local time) (ICC Women’s Championship)
15 Dec – 2nd ODI, Christchurch
(2pm local time) (ICC Women’s Championship)
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