Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD/CAPE TOWN: Pakistani left-hander Muneeba Ali hit the first century of the Women’s T-20 world cup when she made 102 against Ireland at Newlands in Cape Town, setting up a 70-run win for her team.
According to AFP, the bespectacled left-handed opening batter and wicketkeeper said that encouragement from veteran Nida Dar during the century partnership helped her reach the milestone.
“She had the message for me to keep going and score big,” said Muneeba.
Pakistan women’s team made 165 for five after they sent into bat.
Ireland bowled out for 95, with the left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu claiming career-best figures of four for 18.
First century of Women’s T-20 world cup
Pakistani left-hander Muneeba Ali’s was the first century of the Women’s T-20 world cup. The margin of the win has provided a big boost to Pakistan’s net run rate and lifted their hope of reaching the semi-finals despite losing to India cricket team in their opening match on Sunday.
The slightly-built Muneeba had not lastly scored a half-century in 44 T20 internationals although she has made a one-day international hundred against the same opponents in Lahore the previous November.
Muneeba and Dar (33) shared the third-wicket partnership of 101. Muneeba has faced 68 balls and hit 14 fours.
Ireland beat Pakistan two-one in a T20 series in Pakistan in November but was outplayed in a match between two sides who lost their opening women world cupmatches.
“We are disappointed with our performance,” said that Ireland captain Laura Delany. “At the start, we have gave them too much width and it had difficult to pull it back.”
Pakistani captain Bismah Maroof praised what she described as a “clinical” performance. “We have taken 10 wickets, so that’s pleasing. But I still think we get better in the next game.”
