Pakistan opener Muneeba Ali Siddiqui slammed a superb century and Nashra Sundhu picked up a fine four-fer to help their side to a crushing victory over Ireland in the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 at Newlands on Wednesday.
The wicketkeeper-batter Muneeba became the first Pakistani woman to hit a hundred in a T20 international to propel her side to 165 for five. There have only ever been four scores higher than Muneeba’s 102 at an ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, and her superb knock helped Pakistan to a total that was going to test Ireland’s batting line-up severely.
In reply, Ireland stuttered as Nashra Sundhu picked up four wickets for 18 from her four overs as Orla Prendergast and Eimear Richardson’s contributions were not enough to stop their second defeat. Ireland lost steady wickets due to lapses of concentration, starting with Amy Hunter, who departed in the second over as Nashra took a fine catch over her shoulder.
Nida bowled four dot balls in a row and then had Gaby Lewis caught behind by Muneeba, who was never far from the action at Newlands.
Prendergast gave Ireland a platform with a fluent 31, including back-to-back boundaries, but her luck ran out when she was caught by Sadia Iqbal for Nashra’s second wicket.
Tuba Hassan then took her first World Cup wicket by dismissing Delany for eight.
Richardson was searching for a partner, but could only watch on as Little was stumped by Muneeba for three. However, unperturbed, the right-hander started to find the boundary consistently, taking 16 runs off Aliya Riaz’s first over.
However, she was next to depart when attempting a scoop, before Javeria caught Waldron to give Nashra her best figures of four for 18 and reduce Ireland to 89 for seven. Unlike Ireland, Pakistan were sharp in the field, as Kelly departed for just one thanks to a low catch from Aiman Anwer.
Murray and Paul were the final two victims as Pakistan wrapped up the victory with 21 balls remaining.
Earlier, opener Muneeba led the charge for Pakistan, scoring 33 of the 44 runs she and Javeria Khan put on for the first wicket before Javeria was run out by Mary Waldron.