Pakistan defeated Ireland by seven wickets to earn their first win in the Super-six Group 2 stage of the Women’s U19 Cricket World Cup in Potchefstroom.
Chasing 114 runs for the win, Pakistan got home with 7 wickets and 15 balls to spare.
After defeating Rwanda and Zimbabwe in the preliminary round matches, this was Pakistan’s first win in the Super Six stage.
Bowling first, Anoosha Nasir took two for 17 and Rida Aslam bagged two for 26 to restrict Ireland to 113 for seven in their 20 overs. Annabel Squires contributed the majority of the runs for her side scoring 55 not out from 52 balls which included five fours.
In reply, the in-form Eyman Fatima (25 with four fours and a six) and Shawaal Zulfiqar (18 runs with three fours) got Pakistan off to a decent start before both fell on successive balls as Pakistan slipped to 44 for two in 6.1 overs.
Captain Syeda Aroob Shah then took it upon herself to steady Pakistan’s chase scoring 35 from 25 balls with four fours before being the last batter dismissed. However, Pakistan needed only 14 runs when she returned back to the pavilion before Warda Yousaf (24*) and Laiba Nasir (7*) saw their side safely home.
Pakistan after taking care of Ireland will now take on New Zealand today with a win greatly enchasing their chances of making the semifinals of the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup.
New Zealand is unbeaten in the tournament thus far and sits in second place above Pakistan in Super-six Group 2.
