ICC Women’s World T20: Maroof, Dar guide Pakistan to 133/7 vs India

Half-centuries from Bismah Maroof and Nida Dar guided Pakistan to a decent 133/7.

Half-centuries from Bismah Maroof and Nida Dar guided Pakistan to a decent 133/7 in their second clash of the ICC Women’s World T20 against India on Sunday.

Pakistan innings began and ended on a similar note – in a flurry of wickets. A couple of run-outs left them in a state of trouble early one after India opted to field first at the Providence Stadium in Guyana. Indian fielders were generous early on as they dropped as many as three catches to allow Pakistan recover from 30/3 to 124/3.

Nida was dropped twice – once on 15 and then on 29 – and she capitalised to score 52 off 35 with the help of five fours and two sixes. Mahroof scored 53 off 49 while hitting four boundaries.

However, India came back strongly in the death overs to restrict them after the settled batters departed in quick succession. The pair added 94 runs for the fourth wicket to dig their team out of a hole. They had lost opener Ayesha Zafar for a six-ball duck in the very first over. Then two run-outs – Omaima Sohail (3) and Javeria Khan (17) – left them wobbling. It was then that Bismah and Dar got together and steadily began rebuilding the innings.

The partnership was broken by Dayalan Hemalatha with the wicket of Mahroof in the 19th over. Dar struck a six to reach her fifty but was caught off the very next delivery.

Poonam Yadav picked up two wickets in the final over, both via stumpings, and allowed just five runs in it as India pulled things back. India were awarded 10 penalty runs after Pakistan batters were thrice warned for running into the danger zone. India will start their innings at 10/0.

Brief Scores: Pakistan 133/7 (Bismah Maroof 53, Nida Dar 52) vs India (Poonam Yadav 2/22, Dayalan Hemalatha 2.34)