Ayesha steps up in Sidra and Sadaf’s absence as Pakistan trounce Zimbabwe in the first T20I

Pakistan were able to halt Zimbabwe for just 84 runs in pursuit of a gigantic 237-run target in the first T20I at National Stadium, Karachi. What’s more is that the batters stepped up in the absence of their regular powerhouses, Sadaf Shamas and Sidra Amin. Ayesha Zafar notched up an unbeaten 47-ball 102, her first in WT20Is.

Ayesha leads Pakistan’s record total

Batting first, the home team lost three batters, including Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali, and debutant Saira Jabeen, inside the powerplay as Precious Marange and Nomvelo Sibanda kept things aggressive with the new ball. However, despite the loss of wickets, the batters, particularly Ayesha, kept the run rate healthy throughout. The right-handed batter struck 15 fours and two sixes during her stay.

She was soon joined by Aliya Riaz, who missed her half-century by two runs, and the two batters stitched together a 67-run partnership off 35 balls. The innings was brilliantly capped by a quick cameo from Fatima Sana, who, along with Ayesha, helped the team score 53 runs in the last three overs. The hosts ended the innings with 237 runs on the board, their highest-ever WT20I total.

Pakistan bowlers dominate the chase

Pakistan further solidified their dominance by dismissing half the Zimbabwean team inside the powerplay. Fatima Sana struck twice in one over, and with Sadia Iqbal equally firing from the other end, the visitors’ batters kept coming and going. Only three of their batters could get into double figures, none scoring more than 30 runs. 

Natasha Mtomba, Adel Zimunu, and the tail dragged the game further than it initially looked. But with the runs drying up, their resistance proved futile. Sadia, who drew first blood in the second over of the chase, deservedly ended the proceedings by getting Zimbabwe’s final wicket.

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