On Monday, Pakistan’s women’s cricket team won an ODI in New Zealand for the first time. The Green Shirts won their third ODI at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval. Pakistan has won two T20s and one ODI against the White Ferns on the tour. Pakistan defeats New Zealand to write ICC Women’s Championship history. After today’s win, Pakistan moved up to second in the ICC Women’s Championship with 16 points from 18 matches. The Girls in Green were sixth before the game.
Pakistan defeats New Zealand to write ICC Women’s Championship history
A super-over drama saw Pakistan beat New Zealand by three runs today. Sadia Iqbal restricted New Zealand hitters to eight runs in the super-over, but Aliya Riaz’s heroics helped the Green Shirts defend a 12-run mark. Pakistan lost Muneeba Ali and Sidra Ameen for 37 runs in 7.4 overs while chasing a 252-run mark. Bismah Maroof and Aliya Riaz’s 101-run stand saved the Green Shirts from further loss. Jess Kerr dismissed Riaz for 44 runs, six runs short of a well-deserved half-century.
The left-handed batter top-scored for her side with 68 runs and five boundaries, earning Player of the Match honours. Pakistan came close with Fatima Sana and Natalia Pervaiz’s fast knocks down the order. Sana had 36 off 33 and Natalia 26 off 23. Pakistan needed eight runs off six balls in the penultimate over with a wicket in hand, but Najiha Alvi’s last-wicket contributions enabled her team avoid a whitewash.
New Zealand reached a competitive 252 runs batting first because to Amelia Kerr and Maddy Green’s dominance. Kerr scored 77 off 87 balls with 10 boundaries, while Green recorded an undefeated 65 from 69 deliveries. Skipper Sophie Devine (29) and Suzie Bates (24) also scored well. The White Ferns won the ICC Women’s Championship ODI series 2-1. During the tour, the Pakistan women’s team became the first Asian team to beat the White Ferns in a T20I series, 2-1.
