اردو
  • Pakistan Women qualify for 2017 World Cup

    Pakistan Women qualify for 2017 World Cup File Photo

    Pakistan women’s cricket team qualified for the 2017 Women World Cup despite losing to arch-rivals India by seven wickets in their final qualifying match in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Sunday.

    Following the defeat, the Girls in Green were no longer in control of their fate and needed Bangladesh to either lose their final match to Sri Lanka or finish with an inferior run-rate than Pakistan.

    However, Bangladesh did end up losing to Sri Lanka by 42 runs in a rain-affected match, leaving Pakistan firmly occupying the fourth and final qualifying spot with four points to their name.

    Earlier in the day, India asked Pakistan to bat first — a decision that proved correct as Pakistan could muster only 67 runs in 43.4 overs.

    India’s Ekta Bisht proved too hot to handle for her Pakistani counterparts as she claimed five scalps for just eight runs.

    Only Ayesha Zafar (19 runs off 33 balls) and Bismah Maroof (13 off 35 balls) showed some sort of resistance against the ruthless Indian bowling attack.

    In reply, India reached the target in only 22.3 overs for the loss of three wickets as Deepti scored an unbeaten 29 runs off 73 balls, while Harmanpreet chipped in with 24 off 35 balls.

    “We had a really horrible start to the match. Ayesha looked good but no other players were able to support her on the crease,” Sana told The Express Tribune. “It was a really bad day for us as only two players were able to score in double figures.”

    The target was always going to be too small to defend but an early wicket did set the cat among the pigeons. “We had a chance when we got their first wicket early but then their other opener Deepti took over and remained in the middle till the end. It was their day and they did better than us and won,” Sana added.