Pakistan’s women’s team achieved a historic milestone on Sunday, securing their first-ever victory against New Zealand. In an impressive display, they defeated the hosts by seven wickets in the inaugural Twenty20 International held at the prestigious University of Otago Oval in Dunedin. This remarkable triumph marks a significant moment for Pakistani women’s cricket.
The win was orchestrated by an impressive show of bowling by pacer Fatima Sana and a clinical batting performance by opener Shawaal Zulfiqar.
While Fatima took three wickets, while giving away only 18 runs to restrict New Zealand to 127-6 after they had chosen to bat first, Shawaal gave Pakistan’s chase a solid start with her 41 off 42.
She contributed an impressive 40 runs alongside her fellow opening batter, Muneeba Ali (23 off 24, including four fours), who unfortunately was the first to depart. At this point, the captain, Nida Dar, made a strategic decision to promote herself in the batting order. She then proceeded to forge a valuable partnership of 51 runs for the second wicket with the right-handed batter, Shawaal.
The 18-year-old Shawaal, playing her sixth T20I and first on New Zealand soil, scored her highest T20I score with help of seven boundaries before losing her wicket.
Following her departure at the end of the 13th over with 91 runs on the board, Nida too was dismissed after a quick-fire 23 off 14 balls, the knock studded with a four and a six.
With both dismissals haven slightly shaken Pakistan’s pursuit of the target, the seasoned pair of Bismah Maroof and Aliya Riaz ensured the visitors sail over the finish line smoothly with 10 balls to spare.
Aliya returned unbeaten on 25 off 12 balls. Her innings included two fours and a six, the latter of which she struck on the second ball of the 19th over to finish the match. Bismah was undefeated on 13 off 18 balls.
Earlier, Fatima capitalised on the overcast conditions to keep the White Ferns from scoring freely. Nida, Diana Baig and Aliya took a wicket each as well.
For New Zealand, Maddy Green was the top-scorer, smashing an unbeaten 43 off 28 balls with the help of five fours.
The second of the three-match series will be played at the same venue on Tuesday
Scores in brief:
NEW ZEALAND 127-6 in 20 overs
Maddy Green scored 43 runs and Suzie Bates scored 28 runs. Fatima Sana took 3 wickets, conceding 18 runs.
PAKISTAN 132-3 in 18.2 overs
Shawaal Zulfiqar scored 41 runs, Aliya Riaz is not out and scored 25 runs. Muneeba Ali and Nida Dar both scored 23 runs. Sophie Devine took 2 wickets, conceding 23 runs.
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