Cricket: Sadia Yousuf spins Pakistan Women to victory

Ireland Women lose by eight wickets in World Cup qualifying round.

KARACHI: Pakistan Women continued their fine form at the ICC World Cup Qualifiers, beating Ireland Women by a comfortable margin of eight wickets at Fatullah, courtesy an outstanding bowling performance by Sadia Yousuf.

The left-arm spinner returned superb figures of four for 19 as she helped dismiss Ireland for a paltry 140 in 44.3 overs. The early breakthrough, however, was provided by Qanita Jalil, who dismissed opener Clare Shillington in the first over.

Ireland seemed to have recovered from the early blow with a 47-run second wicket partnership between Cecilia Joyce (19) and Jill Whelan, who top-scored with 35, but a batting collapse followed which was triggered by Yousuf.

Six Ireland players failed to reach double-figures as Pakistan bowlers dominated the show. Bismah Maroof provided able support to Yousuf picking up three for 22, while Nida Dar finished with two for 28.

Pakistan began their chase well as openers Jalil (28) and Sana Mir (34) put on a 50-run stand inside the first 10 overs before the former was dismissed by Whelan. Later, Javeria Khan combined with Maroof to see the side home in 32.2 overs. Khan top-scored with an unbeaten 41.

Former Pakistan coach Mansoor Rana believed the team’s chances of topping the group were bright after they won their second successive match. “They can easily top Group B now,” Rana told The Express Tribune. “They need to play the same way against West Indies tomorrow. They’re doing what they need to do and I’m sure they will make it to the semi-finals of the event.”

In other matches, Sri Lanka Women beat Netherlands Women by seven wickets, while South Africa Women decimated the US Women by 198 runs. Bangladesh Women romped to a 10-wicket win against Japan Women.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 16^th,  2011.