HONG KONG: Pakistan’s spin attack, led by Syeda Aroob Shah and Tuba Hassan helped the side successfully defend a low total against Nepal in their Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup opener at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground on Tuesday.

Chasing a modest 88-run target, leg-spinners Aroob and Tuba never allowed the opposition batters to settle and picked up wickets on regular basis.

The duo ended up taking two wickets apiece, while off-spinner Umm-e-Hani and left-arm spinner Anoosha Nasir snapped a scalp each to give Pakistan a nine-run win.

For Nepal, Kabita Kunwar (20 off 3, two fours) and Kabita Joshi (15 not out off 17, one four) were the only batters to enter into double figures.

Earlier, after being put into bat, Pakistan were bowled out for 87 in 19.2 overs. Opening batter Shawaal Zulfiqar top-scored for the side with a 36-ball 28, hitting one four.

For Nepal, Indu Barma was the most successful bowler, taking three wickets for six runs in three overs. Kabita Joshi, Kabita Kunwar and Sita Rana Magar bagged two wickets apiece.

Pakistan will take on hosts Hong Kong on Thursday.

Scores in brief:

PAKISTAN 87 in 19.2 overs (Shawaal Zulfiqar 28, Fatima Sana 16; Indu Barma 3-6, Kabita Kunwar 2-12, Kabita Joshi 2-16, Sita Rana Magar 2-16); NEPAL 78-6, 20 overs (Kabita Kunwar 20, Kabita Joshi 15 not out; Syeda Aroob Shah 2-16, Tuba Hassan 2-23).

Published in Dawn, June 14th, 2023