Pak women suffer heavy defeat in second ODI

LAHORE: England women hammered Pakistan women by 127 runs to go 2-0 up in the three-match ICC Women’s Championship ODI series at Kuala Lumpur’s Kinrara Oval on Thursday.

England, after electing to bat first, scored an imposing 327-4 thanks to Natalie Sciver, who scored an unbeaten century at a strike rate of 117.64, and Fran Wilson’s 49-ball 85 not out. The two crafted a blistering 146-run partnership in 14.1 overs — which also saw them accumulate 67 runs from the last five overs.

Coming in to bat at number four, Sciver scored a brilliant 100 not out. The right-handed batter smashed 12 fours in 85 balls. She was supported well by Wilson, whose splendid 85 not out was studded with eight fours and three sixes.

Pakistan had put a dent earlier in the England innings by dismissing Danni Wyatt, one of the century-makers in the last match, in the second over. Heather Knight, the England captain, denied Pakistan bowlers further inroads, despite some disciplined bowling, with a measured half-century.

Over the course of her 86 from 100 balls, which included 14 fours, the England captain crafted a 61-run stand for the second-wicket with Tammy Beaumont (21 off 38) and an 84-run third-wicket partnership with Sciver.

Nida Dar, with her off-spin, grabbed 2-67 in nine overs, while left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu took 1-56 in 10 overs. In reply, Pakistan lost Sidra Amin (12) in the seventh over as right-arm medium-fast Kate Cross took a catch of her own bowling.

Sidra’s opening partner Nahida Khan held one end as the right-hander scored 40 runs off 43 balls, hitting four fours. She put up a 47-run stand for the second-wicket with Javeria Khan, who made 26 from 37, and added 40 runs for the third-wicket with her captain Bismah Maroof — who top-scored for Pakistan with 64 runs off 65 balls.

“Our plan was simple and it was to get as close as we can get to the target. We lacked a few solid partnerships in the top-order which hampered us from setting the pace required to chase a 300-plus score despite the wicket being suitable for batting,” Nahida said.

Bismah cracked nine fours to register her 14th ODI half-century. But the skipper failed to get support from the other end after Nahida’s dismissal as Pakistan were bowled out for 200 with 5.1 overs to spare

Anya Shrubsole, Sarah Glenn, Sophie Ecclestone and Knight equally shared eight wickets between them. Knight was adjudged Player of the Match. The third and final ODI will be played on Saturday (tomorrow).