(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Orla Prendergast Stars as Ireland Defeat Pakistan in T20I Series Opener
DUBLIN – Ireland kicked off their three-match T20I series against Pakistan in style with a hard-fought 11-run victory at Clontarf Cricket Club Ground on Wednesday, thanks to a brilliant all-round performance from Orla Prendergast.
After being asked to bat first, Ireland posted a competitive 142 runs in 19.4 overs, with key contributions from top-order batter Amy Hunter (37 off 30) and Prendergast herself, who added 29 runs from 26 balls. Leah Paul also chipped in with a quickfire 29 from 18 deliveries to help boost the total.
Despite losing wickets at regular intervals late in the innings, Ireland’s batters did enough to put pressure on the visitors. Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana led the bowling effort with an impressive 4 wickets for 26 runs, while Sadia Iqbal, Nashra Sandhu, Rameen Shamim, and Diana Baig all took a wicket each.
Pakistan’s Chase Falls Short Despite Middle-Order Fight
In reply, Pakistan managed 131 for 9 in their 20 overs, falling 11 runs short of the target. While the chase had promising moments, the team was unable to sustain momentum throughout the innings.
Natalia Pervaiz was the standout performer with the bat, scoring a brisk 39 off 23 balls, including five boundaries. Rameen Shamim also contributed a handy 27 off 20, but the rest of the batting lineup struggled against disciplined Irish bowling.
Other double-digit scorers included Sidra Amin (15), Aliya Riaz (14), and Fatima Sana (14), but no one was able to convert their starts into a match-winning effort.
Orla Prendergast Leads with the Ball Too
Orla Prendergast shone with the ball as well, taking 3 wickets for 28 runs, capping off an excellent all-round display. She was well supported by Jane Maguire, who claimed two wickets, while Ava Canning, Cara Murray, and Lara McBride picked up one each.
Series Update
The victory gave Ireland a 1-0 lead in the three-match series and also extended their unbeaten streak to eight matches in T20 internationals. With momentum on their side, Ireland will look to seal the series in the next game.
Next Match Preview
Pakistan will aim to bounce back in the second T20I, needing a win to stay alive in the series. Both teams have shown glimpses of brilliance, setting the stage for another exciting contest.
