(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Muneeba Ali starred with a brilliant unbeaten century to lead Pakistan Women to a commanding eight-wicket victory over Ireland Women in the third T20I in Dublin, securing a strong finish to the series.
The wicketkeeper-batter scored 100 not out off 68 balls, guiding Pakistan past the target of 156 with 14 balls to spare at Clontarf Cricket Club. This marked Muneeba’s second T20I century, both coming against Ireland, and she remains the only Pakistani woman to achieve this feat.
Pakistan’s chase set a new record as their highest successful run chase in Women’s T20Is and matched their highest second innings total, surpassing their previous best of 151 against South Africa in Karachi earlier this year.
After losing early wickets, Pakistan finished the Powerplay at 55 for 2. Muneeba opened with a flurry of boundaries against Ireland’s Orla Prandergast and continued to dominate, hitting 14 fours and one six in her innings.
Aliya Riaz supported brilliantly with an unbeaten 39 off 27 balls, as the pair put on an unbroken 101-run partnership for the third wicket, one of just four century stands in Pakistan Women’s T20I history.
Ireland had set a competitive total of 155 for 4, powered by opener Gaby Lewis (36 off 22 balls) and Amy Hunter (29 off 33 balls), with Orla Prandergast top-scoring with 64 not out.
For Pakistan, Rameen Shamim, Waheeda Akhtar, Sadia Iqbal, and Fatima Sana each took a wicket.
Match Summary:
Ireland Women vs Pakistan Women, 3rd T20I
Ireland Women: 155/4 (20 overs)
Pakistan Women: 156/2 (17.4 overs)
Result: Pakistan Women won by 8 wickets
