Pakistan Women sweep T20I series with 34-run win

Bismah scores unbeaten 44 as Bangladesh Women lose second match

KARACHI: Bismah Maroof’s unbeaten 44 guided Pakistan Women to a series win after the hosts wrapped up the 2nd T20I with a 34-run lead over Bangladesh Women at the Southend Club Cricket Stadium in Karachi on Thursday.

Opting to bat first, Pakistan posted 114-6 in their 20 overs as player-of-the-match Bismah smashed 44 runs off 38 balls with two fours while building two strong partnerships.

She first set up a 32-run stand with opener Marina Iqbal, hitting 33 off 41 balls — courtesy of four boundaries — and then a 33-run partnership with talented youngster Aliya Riaz, who scored 20 runs off 15 balls while smashing a straight six and a four.

Bangladesh’s Nahida Akhtar took two wickets at the expense of 27 runs while Lata Mondal and captain Salma Khatun claimed one each.

Chasing 115, Bangladesh were restricted to 80-7 as Sumaiya Siddiqi and Nida Dar took two wickets, giving away nine and 15 runs respectively, while skipper Sana Mir bagged one for 14 runs.

Rumana Ahmed top-scored with 27 and Ritu Moni made 17.

Bismah, who was also declared player of the series, said she was extremely happy about playing a vital role in winning her first series for Pakistan on home soil. “I am really happy that my efforts paid off and I was able to perform in both matches,” she told The Express Tribune.

“The weather was extremely hot during the series and the heat decreased our stamina much faster. But I was able to stick to the crease and the credit goes to all the coaches who prepared us for this weather.”

The veteran added that she was hoping to take her current form into the upcoming one-dayers. “I went into bat with the aim to score above 40 in the T20Is; now for the ODIs, a different plan will be required and I will work on that in the two days before the series begins,” she concluded.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh skipper Khatun said her team was less experienced in the 20-over format which had resulted in their failure to do well, but she had hopes for the ODIs.

“We have not played many T20s but have experience in ODIs. We will have a chance to try out different strategies in the longer format and will be aiming to win,” she said, while adding that since Bisma was a T20 player, it would be easier to restrict her in the one-dayers.

ICC chief lauds players’ spirits

International Cricket Council President Zaheer Abbas, while talking to the media after the match, said, “It is good to see such spirits in both the women’s teams. Pakistan Women have proven that women also have the potential to go big.

“The Bangladesh team played well too and they can become better in the future if they follow in the footsteps of their men’s side.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 2^nd, 2015.

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