LAHORE: Pakistan grabbed a 38-run victory over Ireland with help of Aliya Riaz and Sidra Amin’s half-centuries and Diana Baig’s four-wicket haul in the opening match of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier at the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.

Put into bat first, the home side had a modest total of 217 before getting bowled in 49 overs. The green shirts got off to a shaky start to their innings as their opener Gull Feroza (four), fell victim to Jane Maguire in the second over with just four runs on the board. Following the early hiccup, Sidra Amin joined Muneeba Ali in the middle and together, they launched an astounding recovery by adding 77 runs for the second wicket until the opener perished. Muneeba was also removed by Maguire in the 21st over. 

She scored 32 off 59 deliveries with the help of four boundaries. Sidra was then involved in another crucial partnership for Pakistan when she put together a 72-run stand with Aliya Riaz, which took their total past the 150-run mark. The anchoring partnership culminated with Sidra’s dismissal in the 36th over. She scored 51 off 112 deliveries, hitting three fours. Aliya followed suit just five overs later and walked back after top-scoring for Pakistan with a 58-ball 52, studded with four fours and a six. Her dismissal sparked a lower-order collapse, which saw Pakistan losing all of their remaining six wickets for just 42 runs.

Maguire was the standout bowler for Ireland, taking three wickets for just 33 runs in 10 overs, followed by Arlene Kelly and Cara Murray, who bagged two each. Chasing a modest 218-run target, Ireland’s batting unit unfolded on a meagre 179 in 44 overs despite notable contributions from their top order.