Muneeba creates history en-route to a dominant win over Ireland

Never before had a Pakistani opener in women’s cricket had scored a T20I century. But on Wednesday (February 15), Muneeba Ali Siddqui wrote history with a scintillating 102, the first ever century by a Pakistani cricketer in women’s T20Is. 

After Ireland had won the toss and opted to bowl, it was a Muneeba-show in Cape Town, with the left-handed batter thwarting the Irish bowling attack, helping Pakistan to 45/1 in the powerplay. Despite dismissals at regular interval at the other end, the left-hander ensured that the Asian country kept going with some quality batting.

Sensational from Muneeba Ali 🙌

It’s the highest score of the tournament so far!

And the first century ever in Women’s T20Is for Pakistan!

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— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) February 15, 2023

The 25-year-old showed class, composure whilst still finding the boundaries with ease, getting able help from the experienced Nida Dar (33), as the southpaw went past her half-century. Once she got to that landmark, she accelerated in fine fashion, bringing up her maiden T20I century, and also Pakistani women’s first. 

Muneeba’s innings came to a halt, on 102 off 68 balls as she walked away with thunderous applause from her teammates and the fans at Cape Town, as Pakistan finished the innings strong on 165/5, after being put to bat first. 

Ireland’s innings never took off

All eyes were on the Irish batters, as batting has looked a little tough in South African conditions thus far in the World Cup. But if there was one unit that could really put the Asian side under immense pressure, it was the Irish team, as the focus was on Amy Hunter and Gaby Lewis. But Hunter’s early dismissal put the Irish side under immense pressure, at 8/1 after the end of the second over. 

Nida Dar’s experience accounted for Lewis (10), while Orla Prendergast was putting on a show at the other end. However, Nashra Sandhu put a premature end to that knock from Orla, after she had scored 31 off 21 balls, a knock that was laced with four boundaries and a six.

Ireland are 39/2 at the end of the Powerplay.

There’s a long way still to go in this chase…

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Barring Eimear Richardson (28), none of the other Irish batters had any kind of say on the proceedings, as it was Pakistan romping themselves to a huge win, to keep their qualification dreams alive after a loss earlier to India. 

Eventually, Ireland crashed to just 95, giving Pakistan a huge 70 run win and a boost as they seek qualification to the next round of the competition. It was Sandhu (4/18) and Dar (2/5), who starred with the ball for the Asian side.

With that loss, Ireland are almost out of the running for the next round but mathematically they are still in. However, next up for them are West Indies, a side that really needs a turn around. 

Brief Scores: Pakistan 165/5 (Muneeba 102, Nida Dar 33; Arlene Kelly 2/27) beat Ireland 95 all-out (Orla Prendergast 31, Eimear Richardson 28; Nashra Sandhu 4/18) by 70 runs