A rejuvenated Pakistan strengthened its claim for a place in the Super Six stage of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2009 when it defeated Sri Lanka by 57 runs at Manuka Oval, Canberra on Monday.
Even contributions from the batters helped Pakistan reach 161-7 in 50 overs after Urooj Mumtaz won the toss and elected to bat first. In reply, Sri Lanka was bowled out for 104 in 39.4 overs, despite a fighting half-century by captain Shashikala Siriwardena.
While all the players contributed evenly to Pakistan’s cause, fast bowler Qanita Jalil was the star of Pakistan victory’s when she broke the back of Sri Lanka top order and finished with figures of 8-0-33-3 having earlier hit a rapid 19 off 20 balls.
Qanita was very well supported by all-rounder Sana Mir who followed up her priceless 22 not out with 2-18.
This was Pakistan’s first-ever victory over Sri Lanka in 19 ODIs and also its maiden win in the World Cup after six straight defeats. And it couldn’t have come at a better time after it was bowled out for 57 and thrashed by India by 10 wickets in the opener last Saturday. It had required an inspiring and an exceptional performance to keep it chances alive which the green shirts produced at the right time.
The result has now put Pakistan in third place in Group B with one win and one defeat while Sri Lanka is winless from two matches. In the final round of matches in the group stage on Thursday 12 March, Pakistan will play England at the North Sydney Oval which will be covered live by ICC’s broadcast partner ESPN STAR Sports while Sri Lanka will play India in Bankstown.
Pakistan has played England only once before in the 1997 World Cup in India where it lost by 230 runs. In contrast, Sri Lanka has lost 15 out of the 16 matches against India with one ending in a no-result.
Urooj said she was happy with the performance. “I am proud of my team. The way it lifted itself after Saturday’s game was magnificent.
“It was a complete team effort and every player played her role to perfection. The batters stayed at the wicket to ensure we played out 50 overs while the bowlers bowled straight and were excellently back up by the fielders.
“However, Qanita and Sana stand out for their contributions. The two played very responsible cricket and today if we can eye a place in the Super Six stage, it is largely because of these two girls.
“All in all, it was a performance to be proud of and couldn’t have come at a better time when we prepare to play England in the last group match. Our feet are still on ground as we know plenty of cricket still has to be played in the tournament and anything can happen.
“There is always a first time and I am glad that we ended our win drought in the World Cup and also against Sri Lanka. I wouldn’t like to make tall claims but we would aim and try to beat teams we have never beaten before.”
On Monday, Pakistan showed it was a quick learning team as evident from the fact that after being dismissed in 29 overs against India, it batted for full 50 overs and managed to collect a decent 161-7.
Opener Nain Abidi was the top scorer with a gutsy 26 that came off 51 balls and included a four and a six. Other notable contributors were Sana Mir (22 not out from 37 balls), Sajida Shah (21 off 67 balls) and Urooj (20 off 43 balls).
Nain’s opening partnership of 47 runs with Bismah Maroof (10) turned out to be the highest partnership of the innings though 35 runs were added for the fourth wicket by Sajida and Urooj and another 30 for the seventh wicket between Sana and Qanita (19).
For Sri Lanka, Suwini de Alwis (2-19), Eshani Lokusooriya (2-28) and Shashikala Siriwardena 92-43) shared wickets.
Sri Lanka, in its target chase, was rocked by Qanita and never recovered after slipping to 28-3. Siriwardena tried to hold the innings together but there was not stopping from the other end as wickets continued to fall.
And when Siriwardena was smartly run out by Javeria Khan to become the eighth batter out after a fighting 58 off 111 balls with eight fours, Pakistan took just 22 balls to wrap up Sri Lanka’s innings, including the wickets of Rose Fernando and Sripali Weerakkody off successive balls.
Scores in brief:
At Manuka Oval, Canberra: Pakistan 161-7, 50 overs (Nain Abidi 26, Sana Mir 22 not out, Sajida Shah 21, Urooj Mumtaz 20; Suwini de Alwis 2-19, Eshani Lokusooriya 2-28, Shashikala Siriwardena 2-43)
Sri Lanka 104 all out, 39.4 overs (Shashikala Siriwardena 58; Qanita Jalil 3-33, Sana Mir 2-18)
Pakistan won by 57 runs
Tuesday’s fixtures:
India v England, North Sydney Oval
New Zealand v West Indies, Bankstown
Australia v South Africa, Newcastle
Even contributions from the batters helped Pakistan reach 161-7 in 50 overs after Urooj Mumtaz won the toss and elected to bat first. In reply, Sri Lanka was bowled out for 104 in 39.4 overs, despite a fighting half-century by captain Shashikala Siriwardena.
While all the players contributed evenly to Pakistan’s cause, fast bowler Qanita Jalil was the star of Pakistan victory’s when she broke the back of Sri Lanka top order and finished with figures of 8-0-33-3 having earlier hit a rapid 19 off 20 balls.
Qanita was very well supported by all-rounder Sana Mir who followed up her priceless 22 not out with 2-18.
This was Pakistan’s first-ever victory over Sri Lanka in 19 ODIs and also its maiden win in the World Cup after six straight defeats. And it couldn’t have come at a better time after it was bowled out for 57 and thrashed by India by 10 wickets in the opener last Saturday. It had required an inspiring and an exceptional performance to keep it chances alive which the green shirts produced at the right time.
The result has now put Pakistan in third place in Group B with one win and one defeat while Sri Lanka is winless from two matches. In the final round of matches in the group stage on Thursday 12 March, Pakistan will play England at the North Sydney Oval which will be covered live by ICC’s broadcast partner ESPN STAR Sports while Sri Lanka will play India in Bankstown.
Pakistan has played England only once before in the 1997 World Cup in India where it lost by 230 runs. In contrast, Sri Lanka has lost 15 out of the 16 matches against India with one ending in a no-result.
Urooj said she was happy with the performance. “I am proud of my team. The way it lifted itself after Saturday’s game was magnificent.
“It was a complete team effort and every player played her role to perfection. The batters stayed at the wicket to ensure we played out 50 overs while the bowlers bowled straight and were excellently back up by the fielders.
“However, Qanita and Sana stand out for their contributions. The two played very responsible cricket and today if we can eye a place in the Super Six stage, it is largely because of these two girls.
“All in all, it was a performance to be proud of and couldn’t have come at a better time when we prepare to play England in the last group match. Our feet are still on ground as we know plenty of cricket still has to be played in the tournament and anything can happen.
“There is always a first time and I am glad that we ended our win drought in the World Cup and also against Sri Lanka. I wouldn’t like to make tall claims but we would aim and try to beat teams we have never beaten before.”
On Monday, Pakistan showed it was a quick learning team as evident from the fact that after being dismissed in 29 overs against India, it batted for full 50 overs and managed to collect a decent 161-7.
Opener Nain Abidi was the top scorer with a gutsy 26 that came off 51 balls and included a four and a six. Other notable contributors were Sana Mir (22 not out from 37 balls), Sajida Shah (21 off 67 balls) and Urooj (20 off 43 balls).
Nain’s opening partnership of 47 runs with Bismah Maroof (10) turned out to be the highest partnership of the innings though 35 runs were added for the fourth wicket by Sajida and Urooj and another 30 for the seventh wicket between Sana and Qanita (19).
For Sri Lanka, Suwini de Alwis (2-19), Eshani Lokusooriya (2-28) and Shashikala Siriwardena 92-43) shared wickets.
Sri Lanka, in its target chase, was rocked by Qanita and never recovered after slipping to 28-3. Siriwardena tried to hold the innings together but there was not stopping from the other end as wickets continued to fall.
And when Siriwardena was smartly run out by Javeria Khan to become the eighth batter out after a fighting 58 off 111 balls with eight fours, Pakistan took just 22 balls to wrap up Sri Lanka’s innings, including the wickets of Rose Fernando and Sripali Weerakkody off successive balls.
Scores in brief:
At Manuka Oval, Canberra: Pakistan 161-7, 50 overs (Nain Abidi 26, Sana Mir 22 not out, Sajida Shah 21, Urooj Mumtaz 20; Suwini de Alwis 2-19, Eshani Lokusooriya 2-28, Shashikala Siriwardena 2-43)
Sri Lanka 104 all out, 39.4 overs (Shashikala Siriwardena 58; Qanita Jalil 3-33, Sana Mir 2-18)
Pakistan won by 57 runs
Tuesday’s fixtures:
India v England, North Sydney Oval
New Zealand v West Indies, Bankstown
Australia v South Africa, Newcastle
ICC Women's World Cup 2009 - News Monday, March 09, 2009 11:08:21 AM
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