Women’s cricket: Asmavia stars in Pakistan’s T20I series win

Hosts defeat South Africa by six wickets to gain an unassailable 2-0 lead

KARACHI: Asmavia Iqbal’s all-round performance helped Pakistan women’s cricket team win their T20I series against South Africa 2-0 as they won by six wickets in the second encounter of the three-match series.

Pakistan have now taken revenge of the 2-1 ODI series loss and have a chance to whitewash their opponents.

South Africa won the toss and did not hesitate to bat first at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. However, their batting failed to justify the decision as they made only 83-6 in 20 overs.

Asmavia put the dent upfront with two quick wickets as she removed Trisha Chetty (one) and Bernadine Bezuidenhout (two). Sune Luus’ unbeaten 23 was the highest score for the eventual losing side.

In reply, Pakistan also struggled to settle down as they were unable to get going in the powerplay. The hosts lost openers Marina Iqbal (four) and Javeria Khan (five) and were reduced to 15-2 in 6.4 overs.

Bismah Maroof and Asmavia then chipped in with an unbeaten stand of 51 runs to see Pakistan home as they finished with 13 balls to spare.

Bismah top-scored with a 36-ball 30, hitting three boundaries in the process, while Asmavia assisted Bismah with a 14-ball 21 with the help of two strikes to the fence. Van Niekerk and Luus bagged a wicket each in the low-scoring tie.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 21^st, 2015.

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