Ireland’s Prendergast shines as Pakistan falter in T20I series opener

DUBLIN (Agencies): Ireland’s Orla Prendergast delivered a match-winning all-round performance, scoring 29 runs and picking up three wickets to lead Ireland to an 11-run win over Pakistan in the opening T20I of the three-match series at Clontarf Cricket Club on Wednesday. Chasing a target of 143, Pakistan faltered in their pursuit and managed only 131 for 9 in 20 overs, falling short despite a promising effort from the middle order. Natalia Pervaiz top-scored for the visitors with a brisk 39 off 23 balls, while Rameen Shamim chipped in with a 20-ball 27, but the rest of the batting lineup failed to offer sustained resistance. Besides them, top-order batter Sidra Amin (15), Aliya Riaz and skipper Fatima Sana, 14 each, could amass double figures as the rest were outclassed by a disciplined bowling performance by Ireland. Prendergast was the pick of the bowlers for Ireland, taking three wickets for just 28 runs, followed by Jane Maguire with two, while Ava Canning, Cara Murray and Lara McBride made one scalp apiece.

Put into bat first, Ireland’s batting unit unfolded on a modest 142 in 19.4 overs. The home side got off to a shaky start to their innings as their captain Gaby Lewis (one) was cleaned up by Pakistan counterpart Sana in the third over with just 18 runs on the board. Following the early stutter, Hunter was joined by Orla Prendergast in the middle, and together they raised an anchoring 45 runs for the second wicket until the opener eventually fell victim to Nashra Sandhu in the ninth over. Hunter remained the top-scorer for Ireland with a 30-ball 37, featuring five fours. Prendergast followed suit two overs later as she was dismissed by Rameen Shamim in the 13th over after scoring 29 off 26 deliveries with the help of three boundaries.

Middle-order batter Leah Paul then knitted a one-sided 25-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Laura Delany until getting dismissed by Sadia Iqbal. She scored 29 off 18 deliveries with the help of four fours. Paul’s dismissal sparked a match-defining collapse, which saw Ireland lose wickets at an alarming rate until eventually being bowled out on 142 with two balls left. Skipper Fatima Sana was the standout bowler for Pakistan as she picked up four wickets for just 26 runs in her four overs, while Sadia, Nashra, Rameen and Diana Baig made one scalp apiece. The 11-run victory helped Ireland to secure a 1-0 lead in three-match series against Pakistan, while also extending their unbeaten streak to eight games in the shortest format.

Brief scores

Ireland Women 142-10(19.4 overs)

Amy Hunter 37, Orla Prendergast 29

Fatima Sana 4/26, Nashra Sandhu 1/21

Pakistan Women 131-9 (20 overs)

Natalia Pervaiz 29, Rameen Shamim 27

Orla Prendergast 3/28, Jane Maguire 2/20.