Sports Desk
Canberra: England’s bowlers bowled out Pakistan for 116 and won the 12th match of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup by 42 runs at Canberra on Friday.
Anya Shrubsole (3-25) and Sarah Glenn (3-15) led England’s bowling chart from the front and helped their team defend 159 runs quite comfortably.
Earlier, England’s skipper Heather Knight smashed 62 runs off 47 balls to guide the English team to post 158-7 in 20 overs. The right-handed batter struck eight boundaries and a massive six.
On the other hand, Heather along with Natalie Sciver (36) scored the highest 34-run partnership in the match. Fran Wilson scored 22 off 19 balled including two boundaries.
For Pakistan, Aiman Anwar was the pick of the bowlers by picking up three for 30 runs. Nida Dar claimed two while Diana Baig and Sadia Iqbal took a wicket each. In reply, Pakistani batters were failed completely to provide a strong start to their team. Muneeba Ali (10) and Javeria Khan (16) only made 11 runs together before Muneeba fell to Shrubsole.
Only Aliya Riaz showed some resistance in the end by scoring 41 runs off 33 balls laced with five fours and a six.
Apart from Shrubsole and Glenn, Katherine Brunt and Sophie Ecclestone bagged two wickets each.
Injury forces Bismah Maroof out of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup
Pakistan women team’s skipper Bismah Maroof has been ruled out of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup following a thumb fracture.
According to the details revealed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Bismah got his right hand’s thumb fractured while fielding during the second match against England. The left-handed batter will travel along with the team to Sydney on Saturday where Cricket Australia (CA)’s Orthopedic surgeon will do her surgery.
In absence of Bismah, right-handed opening batswoman Javeria Khan will lead the side in the remaining two group matches against South Africa and Thailand. Meanwhile, PCB has given the name of Nahida Khan as a replacement of Bismah. ICC’s tournament technical committee is yet to approve the recommendation.
It must be noted here that England beat Pakistan by 42 runs in their second group match. To qualify for the semi-final, the girls in green have to win both of their next two matches.
