Published: Nov 14, 2018, 08:48 AM (IST)
Edited: Nov 14, 2018, 08:48 AM (IST)
Pakistan Women have kept their hopes afloat at the 2018 ICC Women’s World Twenty20 with a 38-run win over Ireland Women at the Providence Stadium in Guyana.
Pakistan remain in the hunt for the knockouts in a tough group, and will need to beat New Zealand Women in their next match and hope that India lose to Australia and Ireland women.
Carried to 139/6 in 20 overs thanks chiefly to the captain Javeria Khan’s career-best unbeaten 74 off 52 balls, with 11 fours, Pakistan restricted Ireland to 101/9 with a very five and all-round performance in the field. All but one bowler – Nida Dar – managed a wicket, with four taking two.
Headlining Pakistan’s bowling effort were Sana Mir with 2/20 in her four overs, which included the wickets of Ireland opener Gaby Lewis and skipper Laura Delany, and Nashra Sandhu who conceded just eight runs in four overs while accounting for Clare Shillington and Eimar Richardson. Aiman Anwer trapped Isabel Joyce – Ireland’s top-scorer with 30 – lbw in the 15th over and then bowled Shauna Kavanagh as the chase fell away. Aliya Riaz chipped in with 2/16.
Having opted to bat, Javeria played a match-winning innings from No 3 after Nahida Khan fell for 10. With Ayesha Zafar’s 21 off 22 balls being the next best contribution to Pakistan’s total, the impact of Javeria’s half-century was obvious. Her 72 is also the highest individual score by a Pakistan cricketer in Women’s T20Is.
For Ireland, Lucy O’Reilly bowled four overs for 19 runs, including a maiden, and took three wickets.
Brief scores: Pakistan Women 139/6 in 20 overs (Javeria 72*, O’Reilly 3/19) beat Ireland Women 101/9 in 20 overs (Anwer 2/8) by 38 runs
