Nida’s all-round show hands Pakistan victory over Ireland
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BREADY (Northern Ireland): Nida Dar’s all-round performance led Pakistan women to a 13-run win over Ireland women on Duckworth-Lewis (DLS) method in the rain-interrupted match of the tri-nation series here at the Bready Cricket Club on Tuesday.
Chasing a revised 97-run target in 14 overs, Ireland’s openers gave their team a 55-run start in 7.4 overs. After the departure of opener Rebecca Stokell (19 off 24 balls, three fours), the Pakistan bowlers applied breaks on the run-chase. With three overs remaining, the hosts needed 31 from three overs.
Ireland scored seven runs from the 12th over while losing Orla Prendergast (10 off 12) to off-spinner Nida, caught by Iram Javed. Nida ended up with match figures of 3-0-17-1. In the next over, left-arm spinner Anam Amin gave away only five runs and Pakistan got the wicket of Laura Delany (1) who was run out.
With 18 runs required in the final over, Fatima Sana conceded only four runs as three three wickets fell – two of them run-outs. Mary Waldron was dismissed lbw for nought by Fatima, while Gaby Lewis (47, 41 balls, five fours) and Arlene Kelly (1) ran themselves out.
Earlier after winning the toss, Bismah opted to bat first. Nida’s sparkling 15-ball 26 helped Pakistan post 92-5 in 14 overs.
The target was revised to 97 after Pakistan lost six overs due to rain interruption which stopped play after the sixth over. When the match resumed it was curtailed to 14 overs per innings. The start of the match was also delayed by 60 minutes because of rain.
Player of the match Nida smashed three fours and one six while knitting a 40-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Ayesha Naseem (14 off 17, one six). Opener Muneeba Ali top-scored (29 off 24, four fours). Ayesha and Nida were dismissed by Jane Maguire, who ended up with match figures of 3-0-14-2.
Scores in brief:
PAKISTAN 92-5 in 14 overs (Muneeba Ali 29, Nida Dar 26; Jane Maguire 2-14, Laura Delany 2-25); IRELAND 83-6 in 14 overs (Gaby Lewis 47; Tuba Hassan 1-10, Fatima Sana 1-12, Nida Dar 1-17).
Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2022
