Pakistan Women 137 for 6 (Muneeba 35, Riaz 32*, Penfold 2-17, Jonas 2-21) beat New Zealand Women 127 for 7 (Rowe 33, Plimmer 28, Sana 3-22, Sadia 2-29) by 10 runs
After winning their first T20I match against New Zealand, Pakistan continued their success in the second game in Dunedin. Fatima Sana’s three-wicket haul helped Pakistan secure a series-clinching victory with a 10-run win. This victory marked Pakistan’s first T20I series win away from home since October 2018 and their first T20I series victory outside Asia and Ireland.
In the match, Sana took 3 for 22, dismissing Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, and Hannah Rowe. Rowe’s wicket was crucial as it effectively clinched the match for Pakistan. New Zealand, needing 12 off three balls, fell short as Sana picked up the decisive wicket. The win was sealed when Molly Penfold, the next batter, was only able to manage a dot and a single off the last two balls of the match.
Despite a late comeback from New Zealand’s batters Rowe and Lea Tahuhu, Sana’s exceptional performance at the finish ensured Pakistan’s victory. Sent in to bat first, Pakistan’s Muneeba Ali and Aliya Riaz played crucial roles in securing a defendable total for their team. The series will now move into its ODI leg after the third and final T20I in Queenstown on Saturday.
