LAHORE: Pakistan delivered a dominant all-round performance as Fatima Sana claimed four wickets, while fluent fifties from Muneeba Ali and Aliya Riaz propelled the Green Shirts to a comfortable six-wicket victory over Scotland in the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier at the Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA) Ground on Friday.
Scotland batted first in a rain-reduced contest and posted a competitive total of 186/9 in the allotted 32 overs, with Kathryn Bryce anchoring the innings with a captain’s knock.
Scotland's innings started shakily as Fatima Sana dismissed both openers, Abbi Aitken-Drummond (1) and Pippa Sproul (9), within the first five overs, leaving them with just 17 runs on the board.
Bryce walked in at number three and steadied the innings, carrying the batting effort until the final ball. She top-scored with a brilliant 96-ball 91, which included 10 fours and a six. Bryce formed crucial partnerships with Sarah Bryce (21) and Ailsa Lister (31), helping her side reach a respectable total.
Fatima Sana spearheaded Pakistan's bowling attack, finishing with impressive figures of 4/23 in five overs. Sadia Iqbal took two wickets, while Nashra Sandhu and Diana Baig claimed one each.
Chasing 187, Pakistan overcame early hiccups and sealed a six-wicket victory with eight balls to spare, thanks to resilient half-centuries from Muneeba Ali and Aliya Riaz.
The hosts fell to 36/2 in the eighth over before Muneeba and Aliya formed a crucial 93-run partnership for the third wicket. Muneeba was dismissed in the 24th over after scoring a fluent 71 off 72 balls, which included 10 boundaries and a six.
Aliya briefly partnered with skipper Fatima Sana (7) before guiding the chase with Sidra Nawaz (14*). Aliya remained unbeaten on 68 off 70 balls, hitting seven fours and a six.
Chloe Abel claimed two wickets for Scotland but conceded 42 runs in six overs, while Kathryn Fraser and Rachel Slater each took one wicket.
Pakistan climbed to the top of the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier standings with four points from two matches following this comprehensive win, while Scotland stayed in third place.
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