Feroza’s Fifty leads Pakistan to 9-wicket win over Nepal in Women’s Asia Cup

Pakistan defeated Nepal by nine wickets on Sunday thanks to an aggressive fifty from Gull Feroza to keep them in contention for a place in the semi-finals of the Women’s Asia Cup.

With the kind help of her partner Muneeba Ali (46 not out, 34b, 8×4), Feroza (57, 35b, 10×4) helped Pakistan cross the 109-mark in just 11.5 overs, taking the first wicket for 105 runs.

With this victory, the Nida Dar-led team now has two points from as many games in Group A and their net run rate has increased to +0.40.

Pakistan, who lost to India in their opening match, will have to beat UAE in their final group match to reach the semi-finals as Nepal also has two points.

However, Pakistan must hold Feroza and her assertive intentions responsible for this somewhat comfortable situation.

The right-handed Kritika Marasini, a left-handed spinner, was abruptly cut off by the right-handed batter, who was on target from the start and made her fifty runs in just thirty balls.

Muneeba, on the other hand, started hesitantly but showed what she was made of in the sixth over when she hit three fours for left-arm spinner Sita Rana Magar.

Nepali bowlers had nowhere to go as the left-right combination started playing in pole position.

Before this, Sadia Iqbal, an experienced left-arm spinner who used the new ball to take two wickets for 19 runs, had led their well-oiled Pakistani opponents.

For Nepal there were only 108 out of six participants.

Towards the end of Nepal’s innings, which was also plagued by three run outs, Kabita Joshi made a 31 (23b, 4×4, 1×6) to support the team.

Brief scores: Nepal lost to Pakistan by 9 wickets, finishing on 110/1 in 11.5 overs (Gull Feroza 57, Muneeba Ali 46 not out) after leading 108/6 in 20 overs (Kabita Joshi 31 not out, Sita Rana Magar 26; Sadia Iqbal 2/19).