Pakistan ended a memorable tour of New Zealand with a historic win in their 3rd and final women’s ODI in Christchurch on Monday, December 18. It was Pakistan women’s first win over the White Ferns in a women’s ODI match in New Zealand and only their 2nd win over their opposition in 17 matches played so far. A Super Over was needed to separate the two teams after the series finale was tied
Only earlier this month, Pakistan had scripted a historic T20I series win over New Zealand in women’s cricket. The visitors, led by Nida Dar, defeated the White Ferns 2-1 in the series after winning the first two matches.
However, the ODI series did not go their way as they lost the first two matches and conceded an unbeatable 2-0 lead to New Zealand. Playing for pride and the motive to end the series on a high, Pakistan women stepped up and delivered in Christchurch on Monday.
The 3rd ODI match, which went down to the wire, saw both teams end their innings tied at 251 runs, propelling the contest into the high-pressure crucible of a Super Over. Pakistan slipped to a heartbreaking 1-wicket defeat after posting 220 in the second ODI but they were more calm and composed under pressure in the series finale on Monday.
SUPER OVER STARS
Pakistan posted 11 runs in the Super Over, bowled by Amelia Kerr. Aliya Riaz began with a boundary and added two doubles in the Super Over with Fatima Sana chipping in with a double in the final delivery. Pakistan handed the responsibility of bowling the Super Over to left-arm orthodox bowler Sadia Iqbal after her miserly spell in the match where she conceded just 31 runs in 10 overs, including 2 maidens.
Sadia stepped up despite conceding a six to Sophie Devine in the Super Over as she made sure New Zealand were restricted to 8. Sadia dismissed Amelia Kerr in the first delivery of the Super Over and also got Devine’s wicket as New Zealand were bowled out in the Super Over with a ball to spare.
Bismah Maroof, the Player of the Match, played a pivotal role with her composed innings of 68 runs from 86 balls.
Aliya Riaz chipped in with a patient 44 while Farima Sana provided the much-needed acceleration with a 33-ball 36. Natalia Pervaiz and Najiha Alvi chipped in with 20s but Pakistan were not able to cross the finish line in their chase of 252.
Earlier in the day, Amelia Kerr’s sensational 77 and Maddy Green’s unbeaten 65 helped New Zealand women post 251. The pick of the Pakistan bowlers was Sadia Iqbal while Nashra Sandhu and Ghulam Fatima picked up 2 wickets each.
