Pakistan got off to a stellar start in their Women’s T20 World Cup campaign registering a crucial win over a spirited Rwanda in their Group B match at Potchefstroom.
Rwanda won the toss and decided to bat first. Batting first, they posted 106/8 in their 20-overs quota.
They were off to a rough start losing Merveille Uwase for a 5-ball duck and Noor Bhatti got the crucial wicket.
Cynthia Tuyizere and Gisele Ishimwe then partnered to put up a commendable partnership and although the run board was ticking, the rate at which they were scoring was slow. Tuyizere’s run out at 21 was a massive jolt to Rwanda and Henriette Ishimwe’s dismissal further worsened the equation.
A misunderstanding had Belise Murekatete run out and Henriette Ismibi’s dismissal by Noor Bhatti meant skipper Gisele Ishimwe was stranded as wickets kept tumbling around her but she too was dismissed by Aroob Shah.
Geovanis Uwase’s dismissal and Shakila Niyomuhoza who was run out at non-striker’s end ensured Rwanda was 8 wickets down with Rosine Irera and Zurufat Ishimwe left with 3 and 0 when the 20 overs were bowled out.
Areesha Noor was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan with Zaib-un-Nisa, Anosha Nasir, and Aroob Shah also chipping in with a wicket and their economical spells making a difference for Pakistan.
Pakistan was rocked early on as they lost their opener, Shawaal Zulfiqar for 1. Eyman Fatima looked solid and was striking the ball at will and built on a partnership with Warda Yousaf until the latter was dismissed by Gisele Ishimwe for 16. Pakistan was steered across to the finish line in the 18 over owing to a brilliant, match-winning 65 off 60 scored by Eyman Fatima and Syeda Aroob Shah, the skipper contributing 20 that helped Pakistan register a win.
Except for the duo of Henriette Isimbi and Gisele Ishimwe, none of the other Rwanda bowlers were able to scalp a wicket and were expensive in their spells.
Scores in brief:
Rwanda 106 for 8 in 20 overs (Gisele Ishimwe 40, Cynthia Tuyizere 20, Areesha Noor Bhatti two for 19, Zamina Tahir Chungtai one for 4)
Pakistan 108 for two in 17.5 overs (Eyman Fatima 65 not out, Syeda Aroob Shah 20 not out, Henriette Ishimwe one for 12, Gisele Ishimwe one for 27)
Pakistan won by eight wickets, with 13 balls to spare.
