Newlands, 17 February 2023 (TDI): Pakistani opener Muneeba Ali struck a century to win against Ireland at Newlands, in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
The victory of Muneeba is not only historic for Pakistan in the T20 format but is also the first ever by a Pakistani cricketer in a Women’s T20.
The phenomenal performance of Muneeba helped Pakistan to a total that strictly tested Ireland’s batting line-up. There have only ever been four scores higher than Muneeba’s 102 scores.
Historic Hundred for Pakistan
Muneeba struck a sensational century that help her side reach 165/5 against Ireland. The brilliant play of Muneeba lifted Pakistan to 165/5 in the first innings, and Ireland lost both of their openers inside the Powerplay thus, struggled in the chase.
The game turned in Pakistan’s favor when there occurred the early departure of Amy Hunter & Gaby Lewis with six and ten scores consecutively, leaving Ireland with a mountain to climb, & the wicket of in-form Orla Prendergast for a 21-ball and 31 scores.
Pakistan’s spinners created trouble for Ireland, with only Eimear Richardson reaching 28 scores from 17 balls able to hit her stride, and the win was wrapped up with three and a half overs remaining.
Sundhu was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with 4/18 from four overs, while Nida Dar followed up a decent effort with the bat with extremely tidy figures of 2/5 from three.
An explosive start from Muneeba helped Pakistan reach 45/1 at the end of the Powerplay, after Ireland won the toss and opted to bowl first, and runs continued to flow for Pakistan as the inning progressed.
Muneeba scored the majority of the runs in a 44-run first wicket stand, before partner Javeria Khan fell in the sixth over, run out by Mary Waldron for 6 from 13 balls.
Also read: Pakistan women’s cricket team ready to take on Ireland
The departure of Bismah Maroof for 4 was enough to restrain Pakistan’s attacking and risk-taking intent, as Muneeba went past 50, with Nida Dar 33 playing well at the other end.
After being dismissed after 102 scores in 68 balls, Muneeba gathered the adoration of her teammates, and the crowd as she left the field at Newlands. It’s the highest score of the tournament so far, and the first century ever in Women’s T20s for Pakistan.
Muneeba Ali
Muneeba is a 25-year-old cricketer, she rocketed to her first T20 century in the tournament. Though it was not the first century of her international career, she already won a One Day International (ODI) to name also against Ireland. But it was her best showing for Pakistan so far.
