England outplayPak women in first ODI

LAHORE: Centuries by Tammy Beaumont and Danni Wyatt, along with Kate Cross’ four-wicket haul set-up easy 75-run win for England women against Pakistan women in the first of the three ICC Women’s Championship ODIs at Kuala Lumpur’s Kinrara Oval.

Wyatt, later named player of the match, smashed 12 fours and three sixes to record her maiden ODI century before she was caught and bowled by Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof on the last ball of the 34th over. Rameen took two more wickets in the last over of the England innings to finish with three for 61 in 10 overs, while left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu and right-arm leg-spinner Bismah picked up a wicket each. Pakistan wobbled early on as openers Nahida Khan (four off eight) and Sidra Amin (one off five) were back in the pavilion in the first 15 balls of the run chase with the scorecard reading five for two. Pakistan were soon dealt with another blow as Cross bowled Javeria Khan (19 off 32) on the last ball of the 11th over with only 39 runs on the board. A 67-run stand between Bismah (69 off 94) and Omaima Sohail (29 off 48) denied England bowlers further inroads. Aliya Riaz made the most of the stability that the Bismah-Omaima partnership provided as she struck seven fours in her 39 off 35. The all-rounder paired with her captain to craft a 48-run partnership, which kept Pakistan alive in the run chase. England’s Katherine Brunt and Sarah Glenn took two wickets each for 31 and 38 runs, while Anya Shurbsole and Natalie Sciver picked up a wicket each. The second ODI will be played on Thursday.