ICC Women’s World T20 2018: Pakistan keep hopes alive, Australia qualify for the semi-finals

In an all-important Group B match, Pakistan kept their hopes alive of reaching the semi-finals with a win over Ireland while Australia reached the semi-finals with a convincing win against arch-rivals New Zealand.

Pakistan defeated Ireland by 38 runs in the first match played at Providence Stadium, Guyana. Pakistan captain Javeria Khan won the toss and decided to bat first. Despite losing an early wicket of Nahida Khan for 10 runs, captain Khan led from the front making sure that Pakistan reached a competitive total. In the first six overs, Pakistan scored just 20 runs. It was a good display of batting by Pakistan to reach 139 for 6 in 20 overs. Javeria Khan remained not out on 74 off 52 balls. For Ireland, LK O’ Reilly took 3 for 19 from 4 overs.

Chasing 140 runs to win, Ireland opener Shillington scored 27 off 25 balls while Joyce was the top scorer with 30 runs. Pakistan bowlers kept picking wickets at regular intervals and restricted Ireland to 101 for 9, winning the match by 38 runs. For Pakistan, Sana Mir, Aiman Anwer, Nashra Sandhu and Aliya Riaz took 2 wickets each.

Pakistan 139 for 6 in 20 overs (Javeria Khan 74*, Ayesha Zafar 21, LK O Reilly 3/19) beat Ireland 101 for 9 in 20 overs (Joyce 30, Shillington 27, Nashra Sandhu 2/8, Aliya Riaz 2/16) by 38 runs.

Australia qualify for the semi-finals

Australia qualified for the semi-finals stage with an easy 33 runs win over their arch-rivals New Zealand in the second match of the day at Providence Stadium, Guyana. New Zealand captain Amy Sattherwaite won the toss and decided to field first.

Australia openers Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney got the team off to a great starting adding 71 runs for the first wicket. Healy scored 53 off 38 balls. At the end of the innings, Haynes provided an important knock remaining not out on 29 off 18 balls to post 153 for 7 in 20 overs. For New Zealand, Kasperek took 3 for 25 while Devine took 2 for 37.

Chasing 154 runs to win, New Zealand lost 3 early wickets at the score of 13 runs. Bates and Martin steadied the innings with a 66 run partnership for the 4th wicket. After fall of Martin’s wicket, Australian bowlers kept picking wickets and bowled out New Zealand for 120. For Australia, Schutt was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 12.

Australia 153 for 7 in 20 overs ( Alyssa Healy 53, Haynes 29*, Kasperek 3/25, Devine 2/37) beat New Zealand 120 in 17.3 overs ( Bates 48, Martin 24, Schutt 3/12, Molineux 2/20) by 33 runs.

In tomorrow’s matches, Sri Lanka will take on Bangladesh and West Indies will face South Africa at St Lucia.