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Bismah Maroof-led Pakistan women's cricket team wreaked havoc on Malaysia women as they kicked off the Asia Cup campaign with a commanding nine-wicket victory at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Sunday (October 2).
Pakistan's bowlers ripped through the Malaysian batting lineup and skittled them out for a meagre 57/9 in 20 overs which saw five of their batters getting dismissed for duck (Winifred Duraisingam, Ainna Hamizah Hashim, Arianna Natasya, Shasha Azmi, Aisya Eleesa Firdauz). In reply, Pakistan easily chased down the target with 11 overs to spare.
Chasing a modest 58-run target, Pakistan opening batters provided a 45-run start to the run-chase. They collected 45 runs in the batting powerplay, before right-handed batter Sidra Amin fell on the last ball of the powerplay to Mahirah Izzati Ismail for 31. Sidra struck five fours during her 23-ball innings.
Her opening partner wicketkeeper-batter Muneeba Ali returned undefeated on 21 off 23 balls, smashing three fours with captain Bismah Maroof (eight not out, eight balls, one four).
Earlier, after opting to bowl first in an overcast condition, Pakistan bowlers made full use of the conditions as Diana Baig struck on the second ball of the innings – getting Malaysia’s captain Winifred Duraisingam out caught behind for no score. But it was the spinners that dominated the bowling side, Omaima Sohail (3-0-19-3), Sadia Iqbal (4-0-8-1) and Tuba Hasan (4-0-13-2) shared six wickets between. Malaysia’s Elsa Hunter unbeaten 29 off 51, which included three fours helped her side not to get bowled out and scored 57 for nine in 20 overs.
