NORTHAMPTON: England women thrashed Pakistan by 65 runs in the second Twenty20 International at the County Ground on Friday to register and unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Nat Sciver-Brunt made her return to the team and scored 31, while Alice Capsey and Maia Bouchier also made strong contributions with the bat as England posted 144 for six.

Lauren Bell then claimed two early wickets before England spinners Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn and Capsey shared seven scalps as Pakistan collapsed from 60 for four to 79 all out.

Victory wrapped up England’s series success with one more game to go on Sunday in Leeds.

England elected to bat but Pakistan found a breakthrough in the third over when Waheeda Akhtar bowled Danni Wyatt for six.

Opener Bouchier kept the scoreboard ticking alongside Capsey, who after a patient start began to tee off and hit five fours in the fifth over off Waheeda.

The pair put on a partnership of 49 before a great bit of fielding from Diana Baig at extra cover saw her react quickly to throw into wicket-keeper Muneeba Ali, who broke the stumps and dismissed Bouchier for 30.

Capsey fell for 31 in the following over after nicking behind off captain Nida Dar before Sciver-Brunt made a quick impact with a flurry of boundaries.

Sciver-Brunt fell for a 21-ball 31 after chipping the ball to Sadia Iqbal at point off Fatima Sana before Diana picked up her first wicket to dismiss Heather Knight.

Dar earned her second of the game when Muneeba stumped Amy Jones from the first ball of the final over, but Ecclestone and Danielle Gibson added 17 in the last five deliveries — with Gibson hitting a six and a four — as England set a victory target of 145.

Bell got off to a flying start to give the hosts an early advantage, striking twice in the third over to dismiss Gull Feroza and Sadaf Shamas.

Ecclestone claimed her first when Muneeba clipped the ball straight up into the air for the spinner to easily take a return catch and fellow spinner Glenn got in on the act to trap Dar lbw.

Although Aliya Riaz began to build some momentum for the visitors, a mix-up saw Jones hit the stumps to run Sidra Ameen out and Glenn then took her second in the 12th over when Fatima chopped on to her stumps.

Capsey then dismissed Aliya with her first delivery before striking again three balls later when Diana hit the ball straight to Ecclestone at mid-off.

Ecclestone then wrapped the match up with two wickets in the 16th over, ousting Waheeda before Gibson made a stunning catch to remove Sadia.

Published in Dawn, May 19th, 2024