captain nida dar

Captain Nida Dar: Fast-bowler Fatima Sana's superb 3-18 and a batting effort led by Shawaal Zulfiqar’s 41 helped Pakistan win the T20I series opener over New Zealand by seven wickets. The result also means Pakistan have got their first-ever women’s T20I win over New Zealand.

Electing to bat first, New Zealand were restricted to 127/6, courtesy of a fine bowling display by the tourists’ with Fatima being the standout. Fatima, who missed the Bangladesh tour due to injury, capitalised on the overcast conditions to bowl a superb spell of 3-18, with her scalps being Bernadine Bezuidenhout, Kate Anderson and Suzie Bates.

Captain Nida Dar, Diana Baig and Aliya Riaz took a wicket each at regular intervals to dent New Zealand’s job of rebuilding the innings. Maddy Green was the top run-getter, scoring 43 not out off 28 balls, hitting five fours and taking New Zealand past 120.