Pakistan beats China to qualify for Asian Games women cricket final

Published September 25, 2014
Pakistan gained victory in a mere eight overs for the loss of one wicket. — File Photo
Pakistan gained victory in a mere eight overs for the loss of one wicket. — File Photo

INCHEON: Pakistan's Nida Dar captured four wickets to spin defending champion Pakistan into the final of the Asian Games Women Twenty20 Cricket Tournament when they hammered minnows China by nine wickets at the Yeonhui Cricket Ground on Thursday.

27-year-old off-break bowler Nida from Gujranwala, finished with an excellent score of four wickets for seven runs in three overs and Bismah Maroof claimed two wickets for eight runs in two overs as Pakistan had inserted to bat first, the Chinese team crashed to 37 all out in 19 overs.

Pakistan gained victory in a mere eight overs for the loss of one wicket. Opener Marina Iqab was trapped leg before for three by Zhou Haijie in the second over.

However, Javeria Wadood and Bismah Maroof steered their team to easy victory without further loss. They added 36-run for the unbroken second wicket stand.

Wadoood hit two sizzling boundaries in her unbeaten 21 off 23 balls. Bismah followed her two wickets with an undefeated 13 off 16 balls without any boundary .

The match saw a poor match aggregate of 78 runs in 21 overs, reports Ehsan Qureshi.

China after a painstaking start reached 19 for one in the 12th over. But in a dramatic fashion they lost their next six wickets for one run in 23 balls including three to Nida.

Five of the batswomen from China failed to score.

Though the Chinese side was outplayed by the experienced Pakistan team, their fielding standard impressed the small crowd and experts of the game.

Pakistan captain was however not too worried about the lack of match practice against the strong opposition as they were pitted against new upcoming teams like China and Thailand.

“Only problem we could see that the pitch was getting lower and slower. But we are ready for the task to fight for the gold medal on Friday,” she group of Pakistani reporter after the match.

She said they have got psychological advantage as they have never lost any game against Sri Lanka, who is expected to meet them in the final.

“Our preparations for Asian Games were good because of the tour to Australia.We are certain of a silver medal and we are looking forward to retain our gold tomorrow,” she maintained.

China's Pakistani coach Rashid Khan was satisfied with his team showing and hoping that his team will grab a bronze medal against Thailand in the playoff.

He expressed the hope that China will be a good team in the next five years as they got small pool of players at the moment.

Summarized scores: China 37 all out in 19 overs (Mei Zhang 14, Zhuo Huang 8, Extras 6, Nida Dar 4-7, Bishmah Maroof 2-8) Pakistan 41-1 in 8 overs (Javeria Wadood Khan 21 not out , Bishmah Maroof 13 not out).

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