Pakistan Women. (Source – Pakistan Cricket)
Some exciting cricket actions were in full swing in the ongoing as the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 got kickstarted recently with Asian teams battling it out for continental supremacy in Sri Lanka. In the same vein, Match 6 of the tournament saw Pakistan Women (PAK W) locking horns with the rising Asian side, Nepal Women (NEP W).
After winning the toss, the Women in Green decided to take the field first. The Everest nation were eyeing their second straight win in the competition while Pakistan had their sights set on keeping their semifinal hopes alive after suffering a heavy defeat against India Women.
Team Nepal started briskly with a positive intent against Pakistan but dealt with an early blow in the form of Samjhana Khadka who had scored a match-defining fifty knock in the previous game against UAE. Notably on the fourth ball of the innings, she fell prey to Fatima Sana after a glorious extra cover drive on the third delivery. But Nepal did let their guard down as Sita Rana Magar and Kabita Kunwar played freely and were going well with 29/1 inside four overs. But spinner Sadia Iqbal struck twice in quick succession which reduced the spirited Nepalese side to 30/3 at the end of the powerplay stage.
Furthermore, Nepal’s intent to put up a big score got dented with twin runouts of Magar and the rising star Rubina Chhetry in the middle stages of the game. But youngsters Puja Mahato and Kabita Joshi took the onus and scored a brisk 24 runs off 18 deliveries. This propelled Nepal to 108/6 to give them some chance in the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 T20 encounter as they collected 40 runs in the last five overs.
In reply, Pakistan Women’s openers had their task cut out and played their roles to perfection in a dominant fashion. Gull Feroza showed some magnanimous touch in her batting and took the opposition apart with a scintillating knock. She joined forces with Muneeba Ali and stitched a 105-run stand for the opening wicket thereby making a mockery of the target set by Nepal. In the end, Pakistan Women clinched a sensational win by nine wickets as they chased down the target in just 11.5 overs.
As a result, the competition has got stiffer and both teams still stand a chance to make it to the semifinals of the ongoing continental tournament.
Meanwhile here’s how the fans reacted to the thrilling game between Pakistan and Nepal Women:
Nepal Men were all out for 104 against Pakistan in ODI Asia Cup!!
Nepal Women made 108 in T20i Asia Cup against Pakistan 👏👏
This is commendable performance by Nepal 🔥
Onto the bowlers now!! pic.twitter.com/U3m7djabiD— Suvam Koirala 🏏 (@SuvamKoirala_45) July 21, 2024
A huge ‘SIX’ by Our KABITA JOSHI.
109 runs on the line against Pakistan. LET’S GO NEPALI WOMEN’S CRICKET TEAM.🇳🇵#ACC #AsiaCup2024 #cricket #nepal #can @CricketNep #icc— Prince Lama (@PrinceLama01) July 21, 2024
#Pakistan women cricket team giving tough competition to Men’s team who is worse in fielding, the temperament remains the same #PakvsNepal
— Ashish Mittal 🇮🇳 (@mittalashish19) July 21, 2024
Because of 3 run-outs (Nepal Mistake), they were able to restrict them under 120. Horrible fielding and horrible run-outs are part of women’s cricket.
— BabluMinati (@BabluMinati) July 21, 2024
Pakistan women 52/0 after 6 overs
Need 57 of 84 Balls
#PAKvNEP #WomensAsiaCup2024 #ACC https://t.co/NHG8Pzdn6w pic.twitter.com/BxmcZQ0H6X— Raja Qaiser (@MrChibRajput) July 21, 2024
Pak women crushed nepal we chase down in 10 over 😘🥰 dil dil pakistan
— sabia nasir pakistan (@sabiapakistan) July 21, 2024