Image Credit- Getty
After defeating New Zealand in their T20I opener,
Pakistan improved further in the second match in Dunedin, where Fatima Sana
claimed her second straight three-wicket haul to help her team win the series.
With the 10-run victory, Pakistan achieved their first-ever T20I series triumph
outside of Asia and Ireland as well as their first away series victory since
October 2018.
Sana’s stats of 3 for 22 in the first Twenty20
International followed her 3 for 18 in the opening T20I. She took the wickets
of Suzie Bates (again in the series), Sophie Devine, and Hannah Rowe, all of
whom were bowled. The match was basically won by Sana’s wicket of Rowe, as he
was removed for 33 from 24 balls when New Zealand required 12 off 3 balls.
After that, Molly Penfold could only muster a dot and a single off the final
two balls of the game.
Pakistan was put to bat, and because to Muneeba Ali’s
28-ball 35 at the top of the order, they got off to a solid start.
Nevertheless, they were dealt a blow when Penfold removed Nida Dar and Bismah
Maroof in three consecutive deliveries, leaving Pakistan at 86 for 4 after 13
overs. But Aliya Riaz made sure they ended with a respectable total by
recording her second consecutive undefeated cameo. The other end’s batsmen
offered little assistance, managing just 10 runs off 21 in the final seven
overs. However, Riaz struck three fours and a six in a 22-ball 32 to put New
Zealand on a target that was barely out of reach.
In the thirteenth over, Rowe entered the field with
New Zealand at 62 for 5, needing 76 off 45 balls to tie the series. When
Georgia Plimmer was out for 28 in the 17th over, it was down to 50 off 23, but
big hits from Rowe and Lea Tahuhu came at the right moment to keep New Zealand
in the match with 18 runs needed in the last over. But Sana returned for her
final star act at the very end.
On Saturday, Queenstown will host the third and final
Twenty20 International, after which the trip will transition into the ODI leg.