The first T20I series victory for Pakistan

2023.12.05

Pakistan completes an incredible series victory led by Aliya Riaz and Fatima Sana.

After defeating New Zealand in their T20I opener, Pakistan improved further in the second match in Dunedin, where Fatima Sana claimed her second straight three-wicket haul to help her team win the series. With the 10-run victory, Pakistan achieved their first-ever T20I series triumph outside of Asia and Ireland as well as their first away series victory since October 2018.

Sana’s stats of 3 for 22 in the first Twenty20 International followed her 3 for 18 in the opening T20I. She took the wickets of Suzie Bates (again in the series), Sophie Devine, and Hannah Rowe, all of whom were bowled. The match was basically won by Sana’s wicket of Rowe, as he was removed for 33 from 24 balls when New Zealand required 12 off 3 balls. After that, Molly Penfold could only muster a dot and a single off the final two balls of the game.

In order to tie the series at 76 off 45 balls, Rowe entered the field when New Zealand was 62 for 5 in the 13th over. Georgia Plimmer fell in the 17th over for 28, bringing the total down to 50 off 23, but strong smashes from Rowe and Lea Tahuhu came at the perfect moment to keep New Zealand in the match with 18 runs needed in the penultimate over. But to round off her star role, Sana returned at the very end.

Pakistan was put to bat, and because to Muneeba Ali’s 28-ball 35 at the top of the order, they got off to a solid start. Nevertheless, they were dealt a blow when Penfold removed Nida Dar and Bismah Maroof in three consecutive deliveries, leaving Pakistan at 86 for 4 after 13 overs. But Aliya Riaz made sure they ended with a respectable total by recording her second consecutive undefeated cameo. The other end’s batsmen offered little assistance, managing just 10 runs off 21 in the final seven overs. However, Riaz struck three fours and a six in a 22-ball 32 to put New Zealand on a target that was barely out of reach.

The third and final T20I will be played in Queenstown on Saturday, following which the tour moves into its ODI leg.

Final Score

Pakistan Women 137 for 6 (Muneeba 35, Riaz 32*, Penfold 2-17, Jonas 2-21) beat New Zealand Women 127 for 7 (Rowe 33, Plimmer 28, Sana 3-22, Sadia 2-29) by 10 runs

@Charith