The Pakistan Women’s Cricket Team defeated New Zealand by an impressive 10-run margin in the second Twenty20 International of their series on Tuesday in Dunedin, ending a five-year drought and making history.
After restricting the hosts and winning the series, the much-improved Pakistan team amassed a competitive total of 137/6 from their 20 overs and bowled well.
It was also the first T20I series victory for Pakistan away from home since they beat Bangladesh in October 2018. Pakistan had never before won a T20I series against the White Ferns.
The visitors amassed a respectable total after being put into bat by the Kiwis, and it was a well-deserved win thanks to strong batsmanship from Muneeba Ali (35), Aliya Riaz (32*), and former captain Bismah Maroof (21).
After removing Bernadine Bezuidenhout (2) and Amelia Kerr (2) to help reduce New Zealand to 9/2 in reply, left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal made it impossible for the hosts to rally as Pakistan easily cruised home.
The best bowler for Pakistan was Fatima Sana (3/22), while Hannah Rowe top-scored for the home team with a solid 33.
On Saturday, Queenstown will host the series’ third and final game.
Since the Pakistan Cricket Board awarded 74 young women cricketers with 11-month domestic contracts for the first time, things have started to get better. Of the 74 players, 59 are in the emerging and U19 divisions, and 14 have already played senior team duty for Pakistan’s women’s team.
With an action-packed women’s cricket season set to resume on September 1, this significant development has given women cricketers a significant boost in confidence.
Individuals who have demonstrated exceptional performance in domestic cricket tournaments, emerging tournaments, U19 domestic tournaments, and the ICC U19 Women’s World Cup have been awarded these domestic contracts.
