Pakistan beat Ireland in women’s world cup qualifiers as Baig takes four

LAHORE: Pakistan beat Ireland in the first match of the ICC women’s world cup qualifier, thanks to an incredible bowling performance from Diana Baig, who took four wickets on the way to a 38 run victory for the women in green.

Pakistan’s Innings

Pakistan got off to a rough start, as Gull Feroza was caught behind in the second over on a delivery from Jane Maguire after scoring four runs. However, opener Muneeba Ali and Sidra Amin put on a great 77 run partnership of 117 deliveries. Ireland had another breakthrough in the 20th over as Muneeba was caught out by Louise Little, giving Maguire her second wicket of the game. Muneeba made 32 runs off 59 deliveries, hitting four fours in the process.

Sidra went on to bring up her half century 36th over, and was sent off via lbw on a delivery from Cara Murray at the end of the very same over. She made an individual total of 51 off 112 and a partnership of 72 off 90 with Aliya Riaz.

Aliya made a half century of her own in the 40th over, and was caught out soon after in the 42nd by Little, giving Murray her second wicket. Pakistan crumbled after losing Aliya, as the team lost one wicket in each of the next three overs. Natalia Pervaiz was run out in the 43rd, Sidra Nawaz was caught out by Ireland skipper Gaby Lewis on a delivery from Maguire in the 44th, and Fatima Sana was bowled by Arlene Kelly in the 45th.

Diana Baig was caught out by Lewis on a delivery from Kelly, only managing to score one run on the four balls she faced. Pakistan lost their final two wickets in the 49th over. Rameen Shamim was run out first, before Sadia Iqbal was caught out by Lewis on a delivery from Orla Prendergast.

Pakistan scored 217 runs before their last wicket fell.

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Ireland’s Innings

Ireland opener Sarah Forbes wasn’t able to find her rhythm, leaving the field in the ninth over via lbw on a delivery from Diana Baig. However, skipper Gabby Lewis and Amy Hunter picked up her slack, scoring 69 runs off 90 balls together. The partnership ended in the 24th over, when Lewis was sent off via lbw on a delivery from Nashra Sandhu. She fell just six runs short of a half century.

And so did Hunter when she was bowled a few overs later in the 28th, as Nashra earned her second wicket. Nashra struck again in her next over, bowling Laura Delany for a duck. Leah Paul fell next in the 38th over via lbw on a delivery from Sadia.

In the very next over, Christina Coulter Reilly was dismissed on a ball caught and delivered by Diana. Orla Prendergast fell the over after, as she was bowled by Iqbal. And in the over after that, Arlene Kelly was bowled as well, giving Diana her third wicket of the game.

Diana’s incredible bowling didn’t stop there, she once again caught her own delivery to send Louise Little off the field in the 43rd. The game ended in the 44th, as Cara Murray was run out.

Pakistan won by 38 runs thanks to Diana Baig’s four wicket haul, as well as Nashra Shandu and Sadia Iqbal’s combined five wickets.

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