On Sunday, Pakistan Women’s cricket team showcased an impressive performance in the third and final T20 International of the three-match series, defeating Ireland Women by eight wickets. Opener Muneeba Ali’s remarkable and stylish century was the highlight of the victory.
Ireland Women won the toss and opted to bat first, posting 155 for 4 in their allotted 20 overs. Captain Gaby Lewis and Amy Hunter gave their side a solid start with a 52-run partnership for the first wicket. Lewis scored 36 runs with eight boundaries before being dismissed by Ramin Shamim, while Hunter was removed by Waheeda Akhtar after making 29 runs.
At 121, Ireland lost their third wicket when Sadia Iqbal bowled Leah Paul for 11. In the final over, Fatima Sana dismissed Rebecca Stokell for 5, but three boundaries in that over helped Ireland reach 155. Orla Prendergast remained unbeaten on 64 runs, hitting eight fours. This was her ninth T20I fifty and second in the series.
Chasing 156, Pakistan got off to an aggressive start as Muneeba Ali struck three consecutive fours off the first three balls of the innings. She anchored the chase brilliantly, scoring an unbeaten 100 off boundaries that included 14 fours and a six. This was her second century in T20 International cricket.
Shawaal Zulfiqar (3) and Natalia Pervaiz (9) departed early, but Muneeba Ali and Aliya Riaz steadied the innings, adding an unbeaten 101-run stand for the third wicket. Aliya Riaz scored 39 not out, including five boundaries.
With this win, Pakistan sealed the series 2-1, having earlier claimed the first match by 11 runs and the second by four wickets.
