Women's Asia Cup 2022: Pakistan Women get off to great start as they clinch a win against Malaysia Women

Pakistan Women (Image Source: Twitter)

Pakistan Women and Malaysia Women clashed in the third match of the Women’s Asia Cup 2022 in Sylhet on September 2, Sunday. The Bismah Maroof-led team emerged triumphant against the Malaysian side as they chased down a meagre target of 58 in just nine overs. 

With regards to the first innings, Malaysia Women’s opener Winifred Duraisingam fell in the second ball of the match. Pakistan Women bowlers were breathing fire right from the start as they kept getting the scalps while restricting the run flow in the powerplay. 

Malaysia Women managed to score only 16 runs at the end of six overs for the loss of two wickets. In the middle overs, Malaysia Women kept losing wickets at quick successions and all the batters failed to reach double-digit scores, barring Elsa Hunter, who scored an unbeaten 29. Malaysia Women posted 57 for the loss of nine wickets in 20 overs. 

Pakistan Women chase down the total with nine wickets to spare

Pakistan openers had a great powerplay, unlike the Malaysian side. The opening pair, comprising Muneeba Ali and Sidra Ameen, added 45 for Pakistan at the end of the powerplay albeit the latter perished on the last ball of the sixth over.

The Pakistani team chased down the total in just nine overs and with nine wickets in hand. And the winning skipper was delighted with the start of the Asia Cup campaign. Maroof highlighted the concerns in the bowling and fielding department while she lauded the openers for their outlandish start. 

“It was a good win but could have been more clinical. Fielding and bowling can improve on the discipline side. The openers played really well, the bowlers did well. Good start to the tournament,” Bismah Maroof said in the post-match presentation. 

Malaysia Women’s skipper Duraisingam admitted the flaws in the team and hoped to improve as the tournament progresses. “We would have wanted a better performance but the girls will take this experience and come back stronger. We know where we are lacking and we back ourselves to come back better. We are young side, so the energy levels are high. Thanks to everyone for supporting us,” Duraisingam said after the match.