Pakistan thrash UAE

LAHORE: Opener Gul Feroza smacked her second consecutive half century to steer Pakistan to a comprehensive 10-wicket triumph over United Arab Emirates (UAE) in their Women’s Asia Cup T20 2024 encounter at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Opting to field first, Pakistan bowlers made early inroads into the UAE batting order, allowing them to get only 103 runs for eight in 20 overs. Pakistan in their chase galloped to 107 without a loss in 14.1 overs, with 35 balls to spare. Pakistan Women have thus taken a significant step forward improving their chance towards securing a semi-final berth.

Openers Gul Feroza and Muneeba Ali continued their good form from their previous game against Nepal and maintained it in their final league match against UAE. The two opening batters remained not out for their unbeaten partnership of 107 runs, and that was also the second century partnership between them after they made 105 runs in their previous match.

Feroza who reached her second successive fifty in 46 balls went on to score career best 62. Her 55 balls innings was also laced with eight boundaries. Muneeba got 37 on board that came off 30 balls. She also timed the ball through the ropes four times.

The UAE Women’s batting lineup faced a tough challenge against the Pakistan Women’s bowling attack. Theertha Satish top-scored with 40 runs, while Esha Oza contributed 16. Khushi Sharma managed just 12 runs as the UAE innings struggled to gain momentum.