Team
Pakistan women’s cricket team defeated New Zealand in the first T20 in a one-sided match by seven wickets at the University of Otago Oval, Dunedin on Sunday.
For Pakistan Sana Fatima was the star performer with a brilliant bowling performance, she took three wickets giving away just 13 runs. Shawal Zulfiqar scored the highest number of runs for the green shirts, she scored 41 runs off 42 balls.
Bowling first Pakistan restricted the black caps to a total of 127 runs. Chasing a small target of 128 runs, Pakistani batters batted cautiously and didn’t lose any wickets in the early overs.
Moneeba Ali was the first batter from Pakistan to lose her wicket. Moneeba scored 23 runs off 24 balls with four boundaries in her innings.
After the loss of the first wicket, Shawal Zulfiqar and skipper Nida Dar batted responsibly and they put up a partnership of 51 runs before losing their wickets in quick successions.
Pakistan was 93 for 3 in 13.5 overs. Pakistani aggressive batter Aliya Riaz and Bismah Maroof took Pakistan over the line with a 39-run unbeaten partnership. Aliya Riaz hit a maximum to seal the win for Pakistan.
Batting first New Zealand batters didn’t find their feet strong on the wicket. Sana Fatima gave Pakistan a brilliant start with the ball. She removed both the opener in the starting eight overs.
The hosts looked uncomfortable against the Pakistani bowling attack, as they just managed to score 127 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in their 20 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.
Sana Fatima was named player of the match for her brilliant performance with the ball.
The second T20 match of three T20 match series between New Zealand and Pakistan will be played on Tuesday. The T20 series will be followed by three ODIs between these two teams.
