Women's Asia Cup 2022

Women’s Asia Cup 2022: Pakistan register an easy 9-wicket win over Malaysia to earn their first points

Pakistan and Malaysia locked horns with each other in the third match of the Women’s Asia Cup 2022 on Sunday at Sylhet Outer Cricket Stadium. Pakistan completely outplayed the Malaysian team, registering a 9-wicket win. Pakistan skipper, Bismah Maroof won the toss and opted to field first. The bowlers stepped up to the task as they restricted the Malaysian team to just 57 runs in 20 overs.

Diana Baig got the wicket of Winifred Duraisingam (0) on just the second ball of her first over. In the very next over, Sadia Iqbal sent Mas Elysa (3) back to the hut to leave Malaysia in all sorts of trouble at 6 for 2. Wan Julia and Elsa Hunter tried to steady the ship but the former couldn’t stay too long either. Tuba Hassan took the third Malaysian wicket of Wan Julia (11) in the 8^th over and then knocked over the stumps of Ismail (1) in his next over.

Malaysia continued to sink further with Hashim (0) getting leg-before and Intan getting run-out. The likes of Natsya, Azmi, and Eleesa got out without opening their account as Malaysia never got the momentum they needed. Elsa Hunter was the only batter who held the fort and stayed at the crease till the end. Her unbeaten 29 off 51 helped the team cross the 50-run mark. Pakistan bowlers bowled with great discipline as they didn’t give any easy runs.

Omaima Sohail was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 for 19 in 3 overs. In pursuit of a 58-run target, Muneeba and Sidra Ameen walked out to open the innings for the team. The duo stitched a 45-run partnership, with Sidra Ameen being the aggressor of the two. She scored 31 runs in 23 balls before being dismissed by Mahirah Izzati Ismail. The duo shared a 45-run stand, with the latter being the aggressor between the two.

Ameen continued her good form in white-ball cricket, and notched up a 23-ball 31-run knock, including five fours, before being dismissed by Mahirah Izzati Ismail. Muneeba Ali and Bismah Maroof finished off the chase in nine overs. Pakistan have made a winning start to the competition and, currently, sit at the top of the points table.