Women’s Asia Cup 2022: Pakistan claim easy win over Malaysia to kick-start their campaign

Pakistan and Malaysia locked horns in the third game of the Women’s Asia Cup 2022. An experienced Pakistani side dominated an inexperienced Malaysian side throughout the game as the Bismah Maroof-led Pakistan team claimed their first win of the tournament, defeating Malaysia by nine wickets.

The game started with Pakistan winning the toss and putting Malaysia to bat first. Pakistan bowlers dominated the innings as they kept picking up wickets from the word go. Wan Julia and Elsa Hunter showed some composure in the middle, after Malaysia lost the first two wickets within three overs of the powerplay, but they were not able to do much of the scoring.

Hunter stood unbeaten till the end, but she kept losing her partners on the other end, which broke her momentum in the game. As a result, Malaysia ended up scoring mere 57 runs in 20 overs, losing nine wickets in the process. Omaima Sohail picked up three wickets and Tuba Hasan claimed two, whereas Diana Baig and Sadia Iqbal ended with one scalp each.

Pakistan claim an easy win

It was a one-sided affair, and Pakistan had virtually won the game even before starting with their chase. Muneeba Ali and Sidra Ameen opened the innings for Pakistan. The duo shared a 45-run stand, with the latter taking charge of the innings. Ameen continued her good form in white-ball cricket, and notched up a 23-ball 31-run knock, including five fours, before being dismissed by Mahirah Izzati Ismail.

Skipper Bismah Maroof joined Muneeba Ali in the chase, but Pakistan needed barely a few runs to win as Sidra Ameen had completed a major chunk of the chase before walking back to the pavilion. Muneeba Ali and Bismah Maroof finished off the chase in nine overs, thereby winning the game by nine wickets and bagging their first points to open their account.

Pakistan will next face the hosts and defending champions Bangladesh on October 3, Monday, which will be followed by Malaysia’s game against six-time champions India.