Pakistan closer to Women’s Asia Cup semis berth after 10-wicket win over UAE

Pakistan inched closer to a berth in the semi-final of the Women’s Asia Cup 2024. On Tuesday.

Nida Dar and Co. defeated the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 10 wickets in a Group A match at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. However, their fate is dependent on the last Group match between Harmanpreet Kaur’s India and Indu Barma’s Nepal.

If India beat Nepal, Pakistan will be through. But if Nepal win, then they will be locked on two points with Pakistan and India. In that scenario, qualification will come down to which two teams have a superior net run rate. As far as UAE are concerned, their campaign ended winless after the hammering at the hands of the Women in Green.

Feroza, bowlers shine for Pakistan
After opting to field first against the UAE, Pakistan restricted their opponents to 103 for eight. Left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal was their star performer after she finished with figures of 4-0-11-2. The other spinners Nashra Sandhu and Tuba Hassan picked up two wickets apiece.

Skipper Nida Dar accounted for the wicket of Kavisha Egodage. Theertha Satish tried her heart out with a knock of 40 off 36 balls, laced with five fours, but she did not get enough support from the others. Barring her, only skipper Esha Rohit Oza and Khushi Sharma got into double digits.

Pakistan chased down the target of with 35 balls to spare. Gul Feroza scored a fifty against Nepal and she backed it up with another handy knock. The 25-year-old stayed not out on 62 off 55 balls with eight fours.

Muneeba Ali survived a stumping scare when she was batting on 10. She made use of the lifeline to stay unbeaten on 37 off 30. The duo put on a partnership of 107 in 14.1 overs to take Pakistan past the finish line.