Pakistan cruise to 9-wicket win vs Malaysia

Pakistan Women’s national cricket team got off to a winning start in their opening fixture of the Women’s Asia Cup 2022 as they brushed aside Malaysia in a nine-wicket win at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium Academy Ground two on Sunday.

After being put into bat, Malaysia were cornered to a subdued start finishing the powerplay at 16-2.

Malaysia’s Elsa Hunter top-scored with 29 runs off 51 balls, including three fours, as she tried to hold the innings together. The right-handed batsman remained unbeaten but the regular fall of wickets at the other end disallowed the Malaysians to gain any sort of momentum as they could only manage 57-9.

Pakistan off-spinner Omaima Sohail scalped three wickets for 19 runs, while leg-spinner Tuba Hasan picked up two for 13 to pull strings on Malaysia.

In reply, Pakistan openers Muniba Ali and Sidra Ameen got off to a solid start, scoring 45 runs for the opening stand before the latter got castled by off-spinner Mahirah Ismail just before the powerplay for 31 runs off 23 balls.

Muniba, who scored 21 runs off 23 balls, remained unbeaten as she hit the winning runs with skipper Bismah Mahroof (8) at the other end.

In the day’s second match, Sri Lanka clinched a tight affair against UAE as they won by 11 runs (D/L method) after the match by curtailed to 11 overs due to rain.

Batting first, Sri Lanka posted 109-9. Chasing a revised target of 65, UAE lost regular wickets as they fell 11 runs short.