Pakistan Women defeat Zimbabwe to win their first ODI series since 2022

Pakistan Women were the better side against visitors Zimbabwe Women at National Stadium, Karachi, as the two teams clashed in the second ODI. On the back of incredible performances from their red-hot openers, Sadaf Shamas and Gull Feroza, the hosts broke their own record for the highest total at the venue.

Openers notch up centuries

Choosing to bat first, Pakistan’s openers stepped on the gas from the get-go. Feroza, in particular, was aggressive in her play as she kept clearing the gaps regularly.

Sadaf Shamas, who was dismissed in the nineties in two consecutive ODIs, finally cracked the code as she hit a well-built ton. The century moved her past Amelia Kerr into second place on the Women’s Championship leading run-scorers chart.

The pair notched up their respective maiden WODI hundreds as they stitched a 189-run partnership, the highest ever for Pakistan. It took Zimbabwe 30 overs of struggle to finally draw first blood, but even that did not guarantee any reprieve.

Sidra Amin rewrites record books

Fatima Sana and Sidra Amin paired up to accelerate the scoring rate further. While Fatima went back after playing a 13-ball 25 cameo, Sidra, who is enjoying her purple patch in the format, struck another fifty. She now has 22 fifty-plus scores, which is the most for Pakistan in ODIs.

Pakistan scripted a 343-run total after 50 overs, losing only four wickets. The chase was hardly ever on in front of this gigantic score. The new-ball bowling by Diana Baig and Fatima Sana further choked the visitors’ chances. By the end of the third over, Zimbabwe were already two down for just nine runs, and that remained their story for the entire innings.

First series win since 2022

Runyararo Pasipanodya, who top-scored with 33 runs, and Beloved Biza, who scored 29 off 51 balls, resisted the onslaught for a while, but Pakistan’s bowlers made regular inroads, which ended the innings before the third powerplay could even begin.

The hosts won the game by 206 runs, which is the side’s largest-ever victory by margin. Pakistan have won the series 2-0, with one game to spare. This is their first ODI series win since 2022, when they defeated Ireland. 

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