Pakistan Women lose play-off

Pakistan Women lose to South Africa after setting target of 93 which hosts manage to chase losing just four wickets.

Pakistan Women lost the third place play-off to South Africa in the ICC Women’s Cricket Twenty20 Challenge after setting a target of 93 which the hosts managed to chase losing just four wickets.

Pakistan were unable to pose any real threat to the bowlers as the openers did little to give a jump start to the innings. Javeria Khan did top-score with 34 and looked to solidify a faltering batting line-up with a 46-run third wicket partnership with Nida Dar before she was caught off Angelique Taai.

The 23-year-old medium-pacer took three crucial wickets to restrict Pakistan to a paltry total. South Arica opening bowler Dane van Niekerk also impressed as she took two wickets earlier on in the match.

In reply, their batters looked in no trouble as they eased their way through the innings, chasing the target with an over as well as six wickets to spare. Dar and Kainat Imtiaz grabbed a brace each but failed to have a bigger impact on proceedings as captain Cri-zelda Brits led her team to victory with an unbeaten 38.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan beat Ireland by five runs off the final ball of the match in order to qualify for the third-place playoff. After being restricted to 111, Pakistan’s bowlers put in a disciplined performance to successfully defend the total.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 17^th, 2010.