Lahore: Sidra Amin produced her career-best 176 not out, while Muneeba Ali stroked her maiden century to record a crushing 128-run win for Pakistan over Ireland to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match ICC Women’s Championship ODI series at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Friday.
Bismah’s decision to bat first after winning the toss paid dividends from the start as both openers Muneeba and Sidra added a record 221 runs for the first wicket – beating their previous 158-run stand which was made against Sri Lanka earlier this year at the Southend Club, Karachi.
The left-handed Muneeba and right-handed Sidra’s 221-run partnership came off 214 balls. Muneeba brought up her maiden century in the 33rd over of the innings off 108 balls. She was eventually dismissed for 114-ball 107, studded with 10 fours and two sixes.
Sidra was joined by Aliya Riaz – who was promoted up in the order and the two stitched 97 runs off 67 balls for the second wicket. Aliya returned back to the hut after scoring 29 off 28 balls, which included two fours and one six. The debutant Sadaf Shamas was next to go to join Muneeba and Aliya after getting bowled to Arlene Kelly for a six-ball three.
Sidra – who came into this match scoring two centuries and four half-centuries from 48 matches, scored her and Pakistan highest individual score of 176. Her unbeaten innings included 20 fours and one six which came off 151 balls and helped the home side score 335 for three in 50 overs – beating their previous total of 280 which came against the same opponents Ireland.
In return, chasing a mammoth 336-run to win, the visitors were bowled out for 207 in the last over. Ireland’s skipper Laura Delany top-scored for her side. The right-handed batter struck six boundaries and scored 69 off 92 balls. Delany and Orla Prendergast (29, 45b, two fours) knitted a 69-run partnership for the fourth wicket – the highest of the innings.
For Pakistan, off-spinner Nida Dar was the most successful bowler taking three wickets for 34 runs. Fatima Sana and Nashra Sundhu (playing her 50th ODI) bagged two wickets apiece. Fast bowling all-rounders Aliya and Kainat Imtiaz scooped a wicket each.
Sidra for her fantastic century was named the best player of the match.
Pakistan and Ireland will feature in the second ODI at the same venue on Sunday, 6 November.
