Dar, Khan and Naseem take Pakistan over the line to level the T20I series

Kalyani Mangale

14 Nov 2022 00:00 IST

New Update

Dar, Khan and Naseem take Pakistan over the line to level the T20I series — Dar (L), Khan (M) and Naseem (R) © PCB

Nida Dar, Javeria Khan, and Ayesha Naseem’s brilliance took Pakistan over the line in the second T20I against Ireland on Monday (November 14).

After a brief rain delay, Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof won the toss and opted to bowl first at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Fatima Sana started the proceedings for the home team as the match was reduced to 17 overs per side. After some early wayward bowling, Fatima Sana found her rhythm to dismiss Gaby Lewis for four. Maroof took an easy catch at short cover to send the half-centurion from the previous T20I. Amy Hunter and Orla Prendergast found some boundaries in the final over of the powerplay to take the visitors past 25 after five overs.

The introduction of Nida Dar’s off-spin did not stop Predergast from hitting her shots, as she smashed one down the ground to collect four runs. Pakistan had an opportunity to break the partnership, but Nashra Sandhu dropped an easy return catch. She redeemed herself with a wicket of Prendergast on 20. Ireland reached 50 at the end of the ninth over, but Pakistan took control of the innings.

Sandhu took her second wicket to send captain Laura Delaney back for six, while Omaima Sohail ended Hunter’s promising knock. Ireland lost their last three wickets for 12 runs and scored 118 for seven in the first innings. Sandhu and Dar took two wickets each for Pakistan, while Hunter top-scored with 36 for the visitors.

Also Read: Want to capitalise on every opportunity that comes my way in the World Cup: Nida Dar

In the chase, Prendergast started the powerplay and gave away just two runs in her first over of the day. Javeria Khan, who made the long-awaited comeback in international cricket, started off her innings with a lovely shot over deep midwicket for a boundary. Her left-handed opening partner Muneeba Ali also got off to a great start as she smashed two back-to-back boundaries in Prendergast’s second over. Ali couldn't capitalize on the start, and Jane Maguire took a simple catch to dismiss her for 12.

Maroof walked in at three, but her stay was short-lived as wicketkeeper Mary Waldron’s quick thinking sent the Pakistan captain packing for two. Khan showcased her confidence as she flicked Prendergast’s full delivery for a boundary. She and Dar kept the scoreboard ticking as the home side needed 49 runs off the last seven overs to keep the series alive.

Pakistan lost Khan at the crucial stage in the chase, but Pakistan promoted Ayesha Naseem at five. The right-hander started with a massive six-over long-on off Eimear Richardson. Ireland missed an opportunity to send both Dar and Naseem back to the pavilion with a couple of dropped chances, and the pair added 22 runs for the fourth wicket. A miscommunication between the batters led to Dar losing her wicket for 28. But Naseem and Aliya Riaz smashed 15 runs in the penultimate over to level the series.

Brief Score:

Ireland 118/7 in 17 overs (Amy Hunter 36; Nida Dar 2/19) lost to Pakistan 121/4 in 16 overs (Javeria Khan 35; Arlene Kelly 1/18) by six wickets

Pakistan Javeria Khan Ireland Nida Dar Ayesha Naseem Ireland tour of Pakistan, 2022