LEICESTER: Pakistan women were reeling at 107 for three before rained stopped play against hosts England in the fifth match of the ICC Women’s world cup.
Pakistan won the toss and chose to field. They were off to a promising start dismissing Tammy Beaumont and wicket-keeper Sarah Taylor for 42 in the tenth over.
However, England captain Heather Knight and Natalie Sciver struck massive centuries adding misery for Pakistan. Knight scored 106 including 12 fours and two sixes.
Sciver was the highest scorer with 137 runs off 92 balls including 14 fours and four sixes. Danielle Wyatt scored 42 off just 27 balls including 5 fours. Fran Wilson scored 33 runs including six fours.
England women scored a mammoth 377 runs for seven wickets.
Asmavia Iqbal took three wickets for 62, while Kainat Imtiaz took two for 68. Nasar Sandhu and Sana Mir took one wicket each but handed out massive runs to England women.
Pakistan could not hold with the batting as Nahida Khan, Javeria Khan and Asmavia Iqbal returned to the pavilion. Ayesha Zafar was not out for 56 runs along with Nain Abidi who scored 23 when the rain came pouring.
Both sides are coming off a defeat in their tournament-opener, and will certainly want to get off the mark quickly in such a high-voltage competition.
Pakistan were involved in a crunch encounter against South Africa where they never gave up, whereas England will want to brush aside their flaws against India women and surge forward.
The Pakistan camp do not boast of much-experience in World Cups. Their recent form has also been erratic. They have, till date, notched up only two victories in the tournament history and will have to remain on their toes to register their third triumph.
On the other hand, England have had a great run since late 2016, but faltered in their opener against Indian eves. To live up to their pre-tournament hype, they will be itching to get going.
Squads:
England: Heather Knight(c), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Sarah Taylor (wk), Georgia Elwiss, Jenny Gunn, Alex Hartley, Danielle Hazell, Beth Langston, Laura Marsh, Natalie Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Fran Wilson, Lauren Winfield, Danielle Wyatt
Pakistan: Sana Mir (c), Sidra Nawaz (wk), Ayesha Zafar, Bibi Nahida, Marina Iqbal, Bismah Maroof, Javeria Khan, Syeda Nain Fatima Abidi, Kainat Imtiaz, Asmavia Iqbal, Diana Baig, Waheeda Akhtar, Nashra Sandhu, Ghulam Fatima, Sadia Yousuf
