LAHORE: Pakistan women’s cricket team opened their ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier campaign on a high note with a solid 38-run victory against Ireland at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday. Key performances from Aliya Riaz, Sidra Amin, and Diana Baig ensured a winning start for the home side.
Opting to bat first after being put in, Pakistan posted a competitive total of 217 runs before being dismissed in 49 overs. The innings began on a rocky note, with opener Gull Feroza departing early for just 4 runs, falling to Jane Maguire in only the second over.
Sidra Amin and Muneeba Ali stabilized the innings with a crucial 77-run partnership for the second wicket. Muneeba played a steady knock of 32 runs off 59 balls, including four boundaries, before being removed by Maguire in the 21st over.
Sidra continued her resistance and teamed up with Aliya Riaz to add another vital 72 runs. Sidra anchored the innings with a patient 51 off 112 balls, hitting three boundaries. Aliya Riaz played a more aggressive role, smashing 52 runs off 58 balls, decorated with four fours and a six.
After the duo’s dismissal, Pakistan’s lower order collapsed, losing six wickets for just 42 runs. Ireland’s Maguire stood out with the ball, finishing with impressive figures of 3 for 33 in 10 overs. Arlene Kelly and Cara Murray chipped in with two wickets apiece.
In response, Ireland were bowled out for 179 runs in 44 overs. They looked in control during the partnership between captain Gaby Lewis and wicketkeeper-batter Amy Hunter, who took the score from 27/1 to 96/2. Both batters top-scored for Ireland with 44 runs each.
However, their dismissals within 28 balls by spinner Nashra Sandhu triggered a dramatic collapse. Ireland lost their remaining seven wickets for just 66 runs. Orla Prendergast provided some resistance with a gritty 37 off 53 balls, but it wasn’t enough.
Diana Baig was the star with the ball for Pakistan, grabbing 4 wickets to dismantle Ireland’s chase. Nashra Sandhu supported well with 3 wickets, while Sadia Iqbal claimed 2. Baig’s stellar performance earned her the Player of the Match award.
Meanwhile, in another exciting qualifier match, Scotland edged past the West Indies by 11 runs to mark a winning start to their own campaign.