Pakistan women thrash Ireland

Pakistan launches its Women’s Cricket Challenge campaign with a seven-wicket win over Ireland.

Pakistan launched its Women’s Cricket Challenge campaign with a seven-wicket win over Ireland courtesy a spirited bowling performance.

Chasing a mediocre 116, Pakistan lost three wickets before completing the job in the 33rd over with the opener Nain Abidi scoring an unbeaten half-century. Captain Sana Mir could not have hoped for a better performance from her bowlers as Asmavia Iqbal and Kanwal Naz grabbed three wickets each to destroy the Irish batting.

Pakistan were off to a poor start as they lost Marina Iqbal in the second over but Javeria Khan and Nain Abidi added 50 for the second wicket. Abidi took Pakistan past the finish line as she completed her second half-century to be named player of the match for her 85-ball effort.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 7^th, 2010.