
BANGI: Pakistan won their first game in Malaysia on Sunday’s ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup warm-up match, in a contest that saw Nigeria crumble in the later overs, despite an incredible knock from Victory Igbinedion.
Pakistan managed to score 105 runs in their innings, despite an early scare that saw skipper Komal Khan sent off. After hitting a four on the first ball of the match, she was bowled by Peace Usen on her second delivery.
Ravail Farhan and Fatima Khan then put on a fantastic partnership. Farhan ended her innings with a score of 23 runs off 37 deliveries, while Fatima made 28 runs off 29 before she was dismissed. Zoofishan Ayyaz had the third highest score for the women in green with 13 runs off 12 deliveries.
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Nigeria looked good early on, trudging on at a steady pace as Igbinedion led them forward. They suffered their first dismissal in the eighth over, as Quratulain bowled Christabel Chukwuonye, who made 14 runs. A plethora of dot balls then put pressure on Nigeria, which resulted in Igbinedion being dismissed in the 18th over, after she was caught out by Zoofishan Ayyaz on a delivery that gave Quratulain her second wicket of the match. Adeshola Adekunle also retired hurt in at the end of the 16th over, adding to Nigeria’s dismay.
Nigeria’s batting line-up fell apart in the next over, as they suffered two run outs, including Peculiar Agboya and Piety Lucky. Fatima got her first wicket and the last dismissal of the match in the final over, sending off Anointed Akhigbe on a delivery caught by Wasifa Hussain.
Pakistan’s next warm-up match will see them face off against Australia on January 15. On the first day of the official tournament, January 18, Pakistan will face off against the United States in Johor. They will then face England on January 20, and Ireland on January 22. The knockout stages will begin on January 24.
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