With a convincing nine-wicket victory over Nepal, the Pakistani women’s cricket team reignited their Women’s Asia Cup campaign. Pakistan needed a victory to remain in the running after losing to India in their first game, and they produced one of the best performances.
Put in to bat, Nepal looked good right from the start. After hitting a match-winning half-century against the United Arab Emirates, Samjhana Khadka showed her aggressiveness from the start of the innings by smashing Fatima Sana for a boundary on the fourth ball of the innings over extra cover. She misplayed a pull shot, though, and on the very next delivery, Nashra Sandhu was given an easy catch at short midwicket, which ultimately proved to be her undoing.
Sita Rana Magar and Kabita Kunwar carried on Nepal’s aggressive strategy despite the early defeat, each striking a boundary to keep the scoreboard moving. After four overs, Nepal reached a solid 29 for 1 thanks to the efforts of Magar and Kunwar.
But then Pakistan’s bowlers started to exert more control over the game. Sadia Iqbal, a left-arm spinner, was especially good; she repeatedly rapped Kunwar on the pads before eventually catching her in her second over. In the same over, Iqbal struck once more, sending Nepal’s skipper Indu Barma crashing into the stumps with an arm ball.
After Omaima Sohail hit a maiden over, Nepal found themselves reeling at 30 for 3 at the end of the powerplay. Pakistan’s bowlers and fielders combined to impede Nepal’s advancement during the middle overs. Although Rubina Chhetry was able to loft Sandhu over the fence for a boundary, Nepal was further placed on the back foot when she was ran out shortly after. After 15 overs, Nepal was reduced to 68 for 5 after another run-out, this time of Magar.
Despite the losses, Kabita Joshi and Puja Mahato contributed a late comeback by hitting six fours in eighteen balls. Joshi, who stayed unbeaten and even hit the only six of the innings in the penultimate over off Sana’s bowling, was unfazed by Mahato’s run-out towards the conclusion of the innings. With the help of some careless Pakistani fielding, Nepal’s valiant final innings saw them post 108 for 6.
Pakistan’s opening duo of Muneeba Ali and Gull Feroza easily dispatched the target while chasing 109. Muneeba gave strong support with an undefeated 46 off 34 balls, while Feroza was the aggressor with a scorching 57 off just 35 balls. With nine wickets and plenty of overs remaining, their partnership of 105 runs in just 11.2 overs guaranteed a comprehensive victory for Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Net Run Rate (NRR) increased to 0.409 after this decisive victory, vaulting them to the second spot on the points table.