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Pakistan's Ayesha Zafar made her T20I debut in 2015. In over a decade, she had never scored a half-century. It wasn't until 2024, she crossed the 40-run mark. Now, ahead of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, Ayesha scripted history as she scored her maiden T20I century. She also became the second Pakistan batter to score a century in women's T20Is. Her unbeaten 102 helped Pakistan post 237/5, their highest score in the format and beat Zimbabwe by 153 runs at National Stadium, Karachi.
Notably, Pakistan had never crossed the 200-run mark in women's T20Is. Their previous best of 181/4 came against South Africa in 2024. It is also Pakistan’s highest T20I score, men’s or women’s cricket. In men’s cricket, the highest is 232/6 which came against England in 2021. In addition, it is the highest score against Zimbabwe in women’s T20Is. The previous record belonged to New Zealand 202/1 earlier this year.
Fiery start but wickets fall
On May 12, Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana won the toss and opted to bat first. Ayesha walked out to bat early as Muneeba Ali fell for a single-digit score in the second over. Ayesha got off the mark with a boundary off free hit delivery. On the other end, Gull Feroza fell for a 19-ball 37 in the fifth over. In the sixth over, Nomvelo Sibanda claimed her second victim, dismissing Saira Jabeen. Pakistan were 69/3 after powerplay overs. In the 10th over, Natalia Pervaiz departed for a single-digit score.
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Aliya goes berserk
Aliya Riaz took the aerial route in 12th over, hitting Michelle Mavunga for two sixes and a four. While Ayesha was in her 40s, Aliya continued to hit fours and sixes. On the first ball of the 15th over, Ayesha reached her half-century from 29 balls. In the next over, Aliya missed her fifty as she got out stumped to Beloved Biza for a 23-ball 48.
Ayesha races to century in slog overs
Ayesha went berserk in the slog overs. In the penultimate over, she hit Adel Zimunu for three consecutive fours. In the final over, she got the strike on the fourth ball after Fatima hit two fours. Ayesha hit a six, ran a couple of runs and then finished the innings with a boundary. She reached her century and remained unbeaten for a 47-ball 102. Pakistan posted 237/5 on the board.
Half the side back in the hut in powerplay overs
In the run chase, Zimbabwe suffered a collapse. Sadia Iqbal drew first blood with Kelis Ndhlovu's wicket. Then, skipper knocked over Beloved and Kelly Ndiraya off consecutive deliveries. Then, Runyararo Pasipanodya was run out for a five-ball duck. Fatima struck again with a new ball, dismissing Vimbai Mutungwindu. Zimbabwe lost half the side for 16 runs from 4.3 overs.
Big loss for Zimbabwe
Natasha Mtomba tried to push the scoring rate with a few boundaries. Rameen Shamim ended her stay at the crease in the 10th over. Zimunu tried to play out all the overs. She got run out by Ayesha for a 34-ball 18 in the 15th over. Then, Natalia Pervaiz got two wickets in her two overs, conceding just three runs. Iqbal came back into the attack to finish the proceedings with Lindokuhle Mabhero's wicket. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 84 in 18.2 overs, losing the match by 153 runs.
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