Ireland Women beat Pakistan to claim series victory in Lahore

Pakistan had won the preceding ODI series 3-0 but were beaten in Lahore in a T20I series decider

The Cricketer | 16/11/2022 at 13:49

Lahore: Ireland 167-4, Pakistan 133 - Ireland win by 34 runs

Ireland Women have beaten Pakistan in a three-match T20I series, coming out on top in a series decider.

At the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Ireland – captained by Laura Delany – earned a historic win in the third match in a three-game T20I series.

Gaby Lewis was the star, making 71 off just 46 balls, sharing a 110-run opening salvo with Amy Hunter – just Ireland's third century stand in women's T20Is – before a 23-ball 37 from Orla Prendergast continued the momentum after Lewis' dismissal.

Prendergast shared a 41-run partnership in the final five overs with Rebecca Stokell to take Ireland to a final total of 167 for 4, which proved to be ample and vindicated Delany's decision to bat first.

Javeria Khan made fifty for the hosts but otherwise there was little to speak of; Nida Dar hit 26 but only two other players Fatima Sana (14) and Muneeba Ali (11) reached double figures as Ireland, who didn't qualify for the last T20 World Cup, made history.

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^{Arlene Kelly took three wickets for Ireland (Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)}

Delany starred as captain, picking up three wickets, including that of Ghulam Fatima – stumped by Mary Waldron – to win the game. Arlene Kelly also claimed three scalps, dismantling Pakistan's lower middle order.

The game had been in the balance before then, with Pakistan 82 for 3 when Javeria dragged onto her stumps off Jane Maguire.

Dar and Pakistan skipper Bismah Maroof remained on the attack, taking 20 from the next two overs, but once Maroof was run out by Eimear Richardson to leave her side 102 for 5, Ireland were ruthless to complete a famous result on their first visit to the country.