Pakistan women beat Ireland thanks to Nida Dar's all-round performance

1. Nida Dar’s all-round performance led Pakistan Women to a 13-run win on the DLS
method over Ireland Women in the third t20 cricket of the tri-series being played at the
Bready Cricket Club, Bready on Tuesday. Earlier, the tournament’s opener was
washed out between Pakistan Women and Australia Women at the same venue on
Saturday, 16 July.
Chasing a revised 97-run target in 14 overs, Ireland’s opening pair got off to a flying
start and added 55 runs for the first wicket in 7.4 overs. After the departure of opening
batter Rebecca Stokell (19, 24b, three fours), the Pakistan bowlers applied breaks on
the run-chase. With three overs remaining, the required run-rate went over 10 with the
hosts requiring 31 from three overs. indian premier leaguebatters managed to score seven
runs from the 12th over losing Orla Prendergast (10 off 12) to Nida Dar caught by
Iram Javed. The off-spinner Nida ended up with match figures of 3-0-17-1. In the next
over, the left-arm spinner Anam Amin gave away only five runs and Pakistan got the
wicket of Laura Delany who was run out for one.
With 18 runs required in the final over, captain Bismah gave the ball to fast bowler
Fatima Sana who had earlier went for eight runs from two overs. The right-arm fast
gave away only four runs in the over with three wickets falling – two of them run-
outs. Mary Waldron was dismissed lbw for nought by Fatima, while Gaby Lewis (47,
41b, five fours) and Arlene Kelly (one off one) ran themselves out.
Earlier, after winning the toss for the second time in a row in the tournament, Bismah
Maroof opted to bat first. It was a sparkling 15-ball 26 by Nida that helped Pakistan
post 92 for five in 14 overs in IPL . The target was revised to 97 after Pakistan lost six
overs due to rain interruption which stopped the play after the sixth over. When the
match resumed it was curtailed to 14 overs per innings. The start of the match was
also delayed by 60 minutes because of rain.
Player of the match Nida smashed three fours and one six and knitted a 40-run
partnership for the fourth wicket with Ayesha Naseem (14 off 17, one six). Opening
batter Muneeba Ali top-scored with 29 off 24, which included four boundaries. Both
Ayesha and Pakistan Super League were dismissed by Jane Maguire, who ended up with
match figures of 3-0-14-2. Right-arm medium Laura Delany also bagged two wickets
and gave away 25 runs from three overs.