Led by Javeria, Pakistan tick all boxes against Ireland

Javeria Khan was not hesitant one bit to opt to bat first on an unused flat pitch, but Eimear Richardson, the off-spinner, gave just three runs in the first over, and Lucy O’Reilly, a young medium pacer with an action modeled on Brett Lee, started with a maiden. Nahida Khan had no clue against her nagging length and outswingers, with her feet moving very little. She was struck at the crease, and was eventually put out of her misery in the fourth over when Ciara Metcalfe deceived her with flight to have her caught at mid-off.

Despite getting five full tosses, Pakistan were 20 for 1, which included just one boundary, at the end of the Power Play. Ireland clearly had gained early advantage. Celeste Raack, the Australian-born debutant legspinner, almost made a dream start, but Ayesha was lucky to survive a stumping by a millimeter off the first ball of the ninth over. Raack should have also got Javeria had Clare Shillington not misjudged a catch at long-on, which ended up being a boundary. That boundary was what Pakistan were after, and things settled down for them before Isobel Joyce’s brilliant direct hit from midwicket sent Ayesha back to the hut.

At 53 for 2 in ten overs, the onus was on Javeria to up the ante. She played with such control and command all around the ground, with some exquisite drives through extra cover, sweeps and delicate cuts standing out. Pakistan reached 100 in the 16th over. Just when Pakistan were looking to stamp their authority Raack broke the third-wicket partnership of 48 by sending Umaima Sohail back. Had it not been for Javeria’s pragmatic batting and good support from Nida Dar, Pakistan would have found it hard to reach 139 for 6.

Javeria’s class and composure stood out with her unbeaten 52-ball 74 – her highest score in the format. She was helped partially by Ireland’s sloppy fielding and too many full tosses, which allowed Pakistan to get off the hook.

Ireland promoted Gaby Lewis, their established power hitter to open the innings, but Sana Mir was right on the money in the first over. The body language of the Pakistan fielders dictated the proceedings. Mir’s opening bowling partner, Aiman Anwer, was equally good. She got drift in the air. Sidra Nawaz’s electric glovework, which got Lewis stumped off Mir, was also noteworthy.

It was now upto the experienced duo of Joyce and Shillington to provide impetus to the chase. They targeted Nida in the fifth over with some powered straight hits and cuts, but they could not go on as Nashra Sandhu shattered the stumps of Shillington against the run of play.

Ireland, though, were much better placed than Pakistan at the end of the Power Play at 36 for 2. From Pakistan’s perspective, the good thing was it was for the first time in the Power Play that were able to take wickets.

Joyce hit Aliya Riaz for 12 runs in one over, but Pakistan’s high quality spin attack was always going to be tough to handle. The line and length adopted by the Pakistani bowlers allowed Irish batters no room to work with, and when Aiman had Joyce lbw for 30 in the 15th over the writing was on the wall.

That none of the Irish batters except for Shillington and Joyce reached double figures hurt them the most in their chase. Nashra’s 2 for 8 in her comeback game was Pakistan’s biggest takeaway on the field.

Pakistan ticked all the boxes in the game.