Pakistan Women shine after winning first T20I against New Zealand

The Pakistan Women's cricket team Sunday won its first T20I match in a one-sided game by seven wickets against New Zealand at the University of Otago Oval, Dunedin.

The Girls in Green, Fatima Sana and Shawal Zulfiqar, sailed the team towards victory. Fatima's 3 wickets for 18 runs guided the girls towards a crucial first win and Shawal's 41 runs off 42 balls helped Pakistan chase the 128-run target set by the Kiwis.

The team played cautiously without losing any wickets in the early overs, knowing well that the target would be easier to chase.

Muneeba Ali was the first victim to New Zealand as she lost her wicket after scoring 23 off 24 with four boundaries.

After losing the first wicket, Shawal and skipper Nida Dar stayed on the crease and built a 51-run partnership before losing their wickets in quick successions.

Pakistan were 93-3 in 13.5 overs when hard-hitter Aliya Riaz and Bismah Maroof came to the crease and their unbeaten 39-run stand took the team over the line as Riaz finished the game with a maximum.

Batting first, the New Zealand batters were consistently troubled by Fatima, who removed both openers in the first eight overs.

The home side looked helpless against the Pakistani bowling attack and with never-ending struggle, could only score 127-6 in the allocated overs.

Maddy Green was the host’s top-scorer as the right-handed batter scored 43 off 28 with five boundaries but her valiant effort went in vain.

Squads

New Zealand: Sophie Devine (c), Kate Anderson, Suzie Bates, Bernadine Bezuidenhout, Eden Carson (T20I only), Izzy Gaze (ODI & 1st T20I), Maddy Green, Fran Jonas, Melie Kerr, Jess Kerr, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu

Pakistan: Nida Dar (captain), Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Ghulam Fatima, Muneeba Ali (wk), Najiha Alvi (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Umm-e-Hani, and Waheeda Akhtar

Schedule of remaining matches

Second T20I: December 5, University of Otago Oval, Dunedin

Third T20I: December 9, Sir John Davies Oval, Queenstown

First ODI: December 12, Sir John Davies Oval, Queenstown

Second ODI: December 15, Hagley Oval, Christchurch

Third ODI: December 18, Hagley Oval, Christchurch