Javeria Khan starred for Pakistan as the Women in Green registered their first win in the Super Sixes of the ICC Women’s World Cup qualifiers as they defeated Ireland Women by 86 runs at the Colombo Cricket Ground on Friday.
She smashed 14 boundaries in her 104-ball stay to make an unbeaten 90 despite being forced off the pitch in the middle of her innings due to an injury.
Javeria formed a 133-run partnership with opener Nahida Khan to set the stage for Pakistan to post a commanding total of 271 runs, while Nain Abidi (44) also contributed significantly to the total.
Earlier, after electing to bat first, Pakistan lost opener Ayesha Zafar (22) in the fifth over but Nahida and Javeria ensured Pakistan don’t suffer much because of the dismissal.
They took Pakistan from 22-1 to 155-1 after which Javeria was forced off the pitch while batting on 65. Nahida, meanwhile, was dismissed two overs after Javeria left for treatment.
Bismah Maroof and Nain then put up a 68-run stand for the third wicket to take Pakistan to 226-3 before the former was dismissed by Gaby Lewis in the 42nd over.
Nain lost her wicket just two balls later but by that time Javeria was deemed fit to play and she, along with captain Sana Mir, made 42 runs for the sixth wicket to take Pakistan to 271.
For Ireland, Lewis was the pick of the bowlers as she claimed two wickets to finish with figures of 2-62 in her 10 overs.
In reply, Ireland were bundled out for 185 runs despite impressive knocks by Cecelia Joyce (44), Kim Garth (33) and Isobel Joyce (33). For Pakistan, Mir, Sadia Yousuf and Nashra Sandhu — who has been in sublime form throughout the qualifiers —claimed two wickets, while Aimen Anwer and Maroof claimed a wicket apiece.
Pakistan now face India in a mouth-watering clash on February 19. – MD
