Pakistan ‘A’ sealed their semi-final berth with a dominating nine-wicket win over United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the final Group A match in ACC Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars here at the Terdthai Cricket Ground in Bangkok on Tuesday afternoon.
According to details, after being asked to bat first, UAE were bowled out for a meagre 79 in 17.2 overs, which Pakistan were required to chase in 15.5 overs or less to qualify for the semi-final. Pakistan ‘A’ and UAE finished with four points each but Pakistan maintained a better net run-rate after chasing the target in 11 overs.
The semifinals will be played on Friday, February 20. The two semi-finalists from the Group B are likely to be Bangladesh ‘A’ and Sri Lanka ‘A’ and will be confirmed on Wednesday.
Eman Naseer (12, 16b, 2x4s) was promoted to open the batting with Shawaal Zulfiqar and the duo put on 25 runs before the former fell in the sixth over. From this juncture, Shawaal and Huraina Sajjad came together to seal the chase for Pakistan ‘A’ with an unbeaten 56-run stand.
Shawaal finished with 38 not out off 31 balls hitting five fours and one six, while Huraina hit five fours in her 19-ball 26 not out. Heena Hotchandani picked up the only wicket for UAE.
Earlier, player of the match Anosha Nasir picked up three for 18 to leave UAE 58-5 in 10.1 overs. Waheeda Akhtar drew the first blood as she castled Esha Oza for a mere three. Opening batter Theertha Satish top-scored with a five fours-laden 27-ball 32.
Rinita Rajith was the only other UAE batter to enter double figures as she contributed 14 off 19 balls hitting two fours. UAE lost five for 11 in the end as skipper Hafsa Khalid picked up two for four in her two overs, while Gull Rukh and Momina Riasat dismissed one batter each. Anosha Nasir (Pakistan women’s ‘A’) was declared Player of the match.
Scores in brief: UAE 79 all out, 17.2 overs (Theertha Satish 32, Rinitha Rajith 14; Anosha Nasir 3-18, Hafsa Khalid 2-4).
Pakistan ‘A’ 81-1, 14 overs (Shawaal Zulfiqar 38 not out, Huraina Sajjad 26 not out).