POTCHEFSTROOM: Pakistan got off the mark at the inaugural ICC Women’s U-19 World Cup with an eight-wicket win over Rwanda on Sunday.

Struggling at 42-2 at the halfway stage during their chase of Rwanda’s 107-run target, Pakistan scored the remaining 66 runs in just 47 balls and went over the line with 13 deliveries to spare.

Opener Eyman Fatima was the pick of the Pakistan batters with an unbeaten knock of 65 runs off 60 balls — an innings that was studded with 11 boundaries.

The right-hander put up a 34-run second-wicket stand with Warda Yousuf — who added 16 — after losing opening partner Shawaal Zulfiqar early. Eyman then notched up an unbeaten 72-run stand with skipper Syed Aroob Shah for the third wicket.

Aroob returned unbe­aten on 20 off 21 balls with the help of two fours.

Earlier, Rwanda hit six fours in their 106-8 that rev­o­lved around Gisele Ishim­we’s 40 and Cynthia Tuyiz­ere’s 20. The two batters added 52 runs for the second wicket after Areesha Noor had taken a wicket on the fifth ball of her first over. She later added the wicket of Rwanda wicket-keeper Henriette Isimbi to finish with figures of 2-19.

Zaib-un-Nisa, Anosha Nasir and Aroob took a wicket each, while three Rwanda batters were run-out. Pakistan take on England on Tuesday, while their last Group ‘B’ match will be against Zimbabwe on Thursday.

Summarised scores:

RWANDA WOMEN’S U-19 106-8 in 20 overs (Gisele Ishimwe 40, Cynthia Tuyizere 20; Areesha Noor 2-19);

PAKISTAN WOMEN’S U-19 108-2 in 17.5 overs (Eyman Fatima 65 not out, Syeda Aroob Shah 20 not out, Warda Yousaf 16).

Published in Dawn, January 16th, 2023