ISLAMABAD: Pakistan women’s cricket team registered their first-ever T20 series victory over New Zealand on Tuesday, defeating the Kiwis by 10 runs at Dunedin in the second T20 between the two sides to go 2-0 up in the three-match series.
Pakistan went into the second T20I after beating New Zealand by seven wickets at the University of Otago Oval in Dunedin on Sunday. That win had marked Pakistan women’s first victory against New Zealand in a T20 contest.
The green shirts batted first and handed New Zealand a target of 138 runs on Tuesday after finishing at 137-6 from their 20 overs, helped on by impressive performances from Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali and Aliya Riaz. The Kiwis managed to score only 127-7 at the end of their 20 overs, losing the match by 10 runs.
“HISTORY MADE IN DUNEDIN,” the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wrote on social media platform X. “Fatima Sana bowls with fire to help Pakistan claim a remarkable series win over New Zealand!“
Sana returned figures of 3-22 from her four overs while Sadia Iqbal finished with 2-29 and Nida Dar with 1-20 from her four overs. New Zealand’s Hannah Rowe top-scored from her side with a 24-ball knock of 33 while Georgia Plimmer scored a run-a-ball 28.
Pakistan were helped on to 137-6, their highest total against New Zealand in a T20 match ever, with scores of 35 from 28 balls by Muneeba Ali and a quickfire 32 from 22 balls by Riaz, who was awarded the Player of the Match award. Former captain Bismah Maroof scored 21 runs from 26 balls.
“We are very happy and thankful to Allah that we won the series against the White Ferns for the first time,” Riaz told reporters after the match. “Tt was teamwork and everyone put in brilliant performances.”
Riaz said Pakistan were targeting a 3-0 whitewash against New Zealand, adding that the green shirts would win the third match as well if they played cricket with the same positive attitude.
The third match between the two teams is scheduled to be held on Saturday, Dec. 9.
