Pakistan women’s cricket team defeated New Zealand by three runs after a super-over drama in the third ODI at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on Monday.
The Green Shirts set a 12-run target in the super-over courtesy of Aliya Riaz’s heroics with bat and they successfully defended the given target as Sadia Iqbal made things difficult for New Zealand batters by restricting them to eight runs.
However, New Zealand won the three-match ODI series 2-1.
During their chase of a 252-run target, Pakistan suffered two early blows as they lost the wickets of Muneeba Ali and Sidra Ameen for just 37 runs in 7.4 overs.
It looked like the Green Shirts would struggle and continue to lose wickets but Bismah Maroof and Aliya Riaz’s 101-run stand put the visitors back in the game.
Riaz fell six runs short of a well-deserved half-century by becoming the victim of Jess Kerr for 44 runs. But Maroof continued to show her prowess and the left-handed batter top-scored for her side by contributing 68 runs with five boundaries, for which she was also named the Player of the Match.
However, it was Fatima Sana and Natalia Pervaiz’s quick knocks down the order that took Pakistan close to the target. Sana scored 36 off 33 while Natalia posted 26 off 23.
Pakistan needed eight runs off six balls in the last over with just a wicket in hand, but Najiha Alvi helped her side to avoid a whitewash as her valuable contributions at the last wicket helped the visitors level the game.
Batting first, a dominant display with the bat by Amelia Kerr and Maddy Green powered New Zealand to a competitive 252-run target.
Kerr scored 77 off 87 balls with 10 boundaries while Green played an unbeaten knock of 65 runs off 69 deliveries.
Skipper Sophie Devine (29) and Suzie Bates (24) were the other top scorers in the game.
It must be noted that before this series, Pakistan became the first-ever Asian side to beat the New Zealand women’s team in a T20I series.
