DAMBULLA: Opener Gull Feroza hit her second consecutive half-century to help Pakistan thrash the United Arab Emirates by 10 wickets in their Women’s T20 Asia Cup match here at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.

Pakistan’s semi-final spot was also sealed after favourites India beat Nepal by 82 runs in the second match of the day.

After the Pakistan bowlers had restricted the UAE to 103-8 following captain Nida Dar’s decision of fielding first, Feroza started off from where she left in her previous outing, against Nepal.

The right-hander’s belligerent knock of 62 off 55 balls was laced with eight boundaries, while her opening partner Muneeba Ali was equally explosive

The bespectacled southpaw bludgeoned 37 off 30, hitting four fours before taking Pakistan over the line with no wickets lost and 35 balls to spare.

Earlier, UAE failed to capitalise on an impressive 40 off 36 by their opener Theertha Satish — who was also their top-scorer — as the Pakistan spinners ruled the roost. All three of them — Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal and Tuba Hassan — bagged two wickets each.

Scores in brief:

UAE 103-8 in 20 overs (Theertha Satish 40, Esha Oza 16, Khushi Sharma 12; Sadia Iqbal 2-11, Tuba Hassan 2-17, Nashra Sundhu 2-22); PAKISTAN (Gull Feroza 62 not out, Muneeba Ali 37 not out).

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2024