SYLHET: Pakistan bowlers wreaked havoc over the Malaysian batting line-up; reducing them to 57/9 before the openers bolstered the green shirts to a resounding nine-wicket victory to start their Women’s Asia Cup 2022 campaign on a high.

Batting first, on the invitation of Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof, the Malaysian batting line-up failed completely and could manage to amass a paltry 57/9 in the allotted 20 overs.

Elsa Hunter fought hard with a gritty knock of 29 not-out off 51 deliveries with the help of three boundaries, while wicketkeeper batter Wan Julia could score 11. The rest of the batters could not get into the double figures and Malaysia, as a result, restricted to a mere 57/9.

Omaima Sohail led the bowling attack for Pakistan with three wickets, while Tuba Hassan bagged two. On the other hand, Sadia Iqbal and Diana Baig made one scalp each. Set to chase a paltry 60, Pakistan’s opening pair of Muneeba Ali and Sidra Ameen gave their side a solid start as they amassed 45 runs at a rapid pace.

Mahirah Izzati Ismail then struck in her first over to break the strong partnership as she castled Muneeba on 21. The left-handed batter faced 23 deliveries and smashed three boundaries. Skipper Bismah then joined Sidra at the crease and took Pakistan to their first triumph of the ongoing Asia Cup as they chased down the target in nine overs with nine wickets to spare. Sidra top-scored for the side with an unbeaten 31 off 23 deliveries, laced with five boundaries, while Bismah scored a run-a-ball eight not-out.

For Malaysia, only Izzati Ismail managed to pick a wicket.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 03 2022

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