England hand Pakistan nine-wicket defeat in ICC Women’s World Cup
CHRISTCHURCH (92 News) - England women handed a nine-wicket defeat to Pakistan women in the 24th ICC Women’s World Cup 2022 match at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Thursday.
Put into bat on a lively green-top wicket, Pakistan were skittled out for a paltry 105 in 41.3 overs. England raced to victory in 19.2 overs for the loss of Tammy Beaumont (two) as Danni Wyatt and captain Heather Knight put on 87 runs for the unfinished second wicket.
Wyatt scored a punishing 68-ball 76 not out with 11 fours, while Knight scored a 36-ball 24.
While this was England’s third win in six matches, Pakistan has remained at the bottom of the table with a win from six matches. The table is headed by Australia, followed by South Africa, West Indies, England, India, New Zealand and Bangladesh.
Pakistan, who won their first match in the 50-over Women’s World Cup since 2009 when they beat West Indies in Hamilton on 21 March, will play their last match of the tournament on Saturday, 26 March, against hosts New Zealand.
Earlier under overcast conditions, England fast bowler Katherine Brunt put a stamp on their decision to bowl first with the wicket of Nahida Khan on the very first ball.
Pakistan suffered with body blows with the run-outs of Bismah Maroof (nine) and Omaima Sohail (11) as they slipped to 33 for three in 14 overs.
A 20-run vigil between Sidra Amin, who top-scored with a 77-ball 32, and Nida Dar (four) ended nine overs later when Brunt trapped the latter in front of the stumps. Brunt later accounted for Sidra Amin and finished with three for 17.
Left-arm orthodox Sophie Ecclestone removed the lower middle-order as Pakistan were bowled out for 105 in 41.3 overs after wicketkeeper-batter Sidra Nawaz’s 23 off 44. Ecclestone’s three wickets came at the cost of only 18 runs.
Kate Cross and England captain Heather Knight picked up a wicket each of Sidra Nawaz and Aliya Riaz, respectively.
Scores in brief:
Pakistan 105 all out, 41.3 overs (Sidra Amin 32, Sidra Nawaz 23; Katherine Brunt 3-17, Sophie Ecclestone 3-18)
England 107-1, 19.2 (Danni Wyatt 76 not out, Heather Knight 24 not out)
Pakistan’s next fixture – v New Zealand, 26 March, Hagley Oval, Christchurch
