Gull Feroza’s explosive innings, supported by Muneeba Ali, propelled Pakistan to a decisive nine-wicket win over Nepal in the ACC Women’s Asia Cup 2024 at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing a modest target of 109 runs, Pakistan delivered a commanding performance, reaching the total in just 11.5 overs with only one wicket lost.
Feroza and Ali provided a strong start, accumulating 52 runs in the first six overs. By the halfway mark, Pakistan had reached 92 runs, setting the stage for a dominant victory.
Feroza added two more boundaries in the next over, bringing Pakistan closer to the target. However, she fell with only five runs needed, after scoring 57 off 35 balls, including ten boundaries. Ali finished the match with a boundary, securing a net run-rate-boosting win with an unbeaten 46 off 34 balls, featuring eight boundaries.
Nepal’s bowlers struggled, conceding a boundary in nearly every over. Kabita Joshi took their only wicket.
Earlier, Pakistan captain Nida Dar chose to bowl first, and her bowlers validated the decision. Fatima Sana dismissed Samjhana Khadka in the first over, while Sadia Iqbal removed Kabita Kunwar and Indu Barma, reducing Nepal to 30-3 in five overs.
Sita Rana Magar and Sita Rana Magar could not counter Pakistan’s tight bowling, adding only 10 runs in the next 4.2 overs before both were run-out. Magar was run-out in the 14th over after a scratchy 26 off 30 balls.
Puja Mahato played a cautious knock of 25 runs from 32 balls, while Kabita Joshi’s unbeaten 31 off 23 balls, with four boundaries and a six, pushed Nepal’s total to 108-6 in 20 overs.
For Pakistan, Sadia Iqbal took two wickets, and Fatima Sana bagged one.
