Pakistan vs Ireland, Women's T20 World Cup Highlights: Muneeba Ali's Fiery Ton Helps Pakistan Win

Right then that is all we have from this one-sided affair. The action in the Women's T20 World Cup 2023 continues on Thursday16th February and we have just one game to look forward to. Sri Lanka Women will clash against Australia Women at Saint George's Park in Gqeberha and the game will begin at 6.30 pm IST (1 pm GMT) but as you know, our build-up will begin well in advance. Until then, goodbye and cheers!

Bismah Maroof the captain of Pakistan Women says that it was a clinical performance in all the departments. Lauds Muneeba Ali for her knock. Adds that it was good of Muneeba Ali and Nida Dar to bat deep and take them to a healthy score. Mentions that they need to work on the fast bowling but the spinners were exceptional today. Closes by saying that they were disappointed after the India loss but happy with the win tonight and will look to carry the momentum ahead.

Laura Delany the skipper of Ireland Women says that they underperformed and they are disappointed with their effort as they gave too much width and found it hard to get wickets. Adds that with the bat they showed intent but overall were not good enough and fell considerably short in this game. Mentions that she has a nice group of players to captain and they are getting better with every game with Orla Prendergast is the perfect example as she performs better every time she gets out in the middle. Claims that Amy Hunter and Cara Murray are young spinners with a bright future and as long as they are improving it is good for the team. States that they want to do their best in the next game and that it is a lovely pitch to bat on.  Ends by saying that Muneeba Ali was brilliant and wishes her the best.

Muneeba Ali is undoubtedly the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for scoring 102 runs in 68 balls. She says that as soon as she got a start, she was confident to take it deep. Adds that she thought about the century at the 12-13 overs and is happy that she got it at the end. Mentions that she played to her strengths and used the field around to maneuver the balls in the gaps. Credits Nida Dar for giving her constant support in the middle on her way through to the hundred. Ends by saying that she wishes to dedicate this award to her captain and teammates who were down after the India Women's game but credits her team for putting on a strong show today.

Time for the presentations...

Pakistan Women were right on the money with the ball and it is the first time their spinners have claimed nine wickets in a World Cup game. Nashra Sandhu was once again the pick of the bowlers claiming four wickets for 18 runs in her four overs. Fatima Sana was the one who started the onslaught but it was the only wicket taken by the pace bowler with Nida Dar and Sadia Iqbal chipping in with two wickets each. Nida Dar bowled a lovely spell conceding just 5 runs in her three over with a maiden and Tuba Hassan also took one wicket in her first World Cup match. The win was however set up but an outstanding century by Muneeba Ali and she was well supported by Nida Dar. The Ireland Women bowlers were quite ineffective and left a massive task for their batters to achieve.

This has been a walk in the park for the Pakistan Women! They have beaten Ireland Women by a comprehensive margin of 70 runs. They have kept themselves well and truly alive in this competition by coming back from a disappointing loss against their arch-rivals. Ireland Women were never really in this game as they were beaten comprehensively in all facets of the game. Amy Hunter and Gaby Lewis could not get going in this match and Orla Prendergast looked like she could pull this off but was dismissed on 31. Eimear Richardson played a good cameo scoring 28 in 17 balls but there was no contribution from any other batter. Ireland Women's hunt for their maiden win in a World Cup continues and they are at the bottom of the table.

OUT! Pakistan Women have done this with ease! Sadia Iqbal bowls a beautiful delivery that drifts and turns after pitching and takes the top of off. Leah Paul had no clue about it as she played it from the crease and the ball hits timber. This has been a remarkable bowling performance by Pakistan Women as they have bowled their opponents out inside the 17th over. Ireland Women's batting woes continue and they have succumbed to yet another defeat.

Leah Paul takes it on the full and bunts it back at the bowler.

Sadia Iqbal floats this one full and outside off. Leah Paul knocks this towards mid off.

A low full toss on the stumps. Jane Maguire bunts it back to the bowler.

OUT! CLEANED UP! Pakistan Women are being ruthless now as they want to head back to their hotel room at the earliest! Quicker delivery, full and straight on the stumps. Cara Murray plays all around it and does not get her bat in time. The ball crashes into the stumps. Nida Dar takes her second and has been outstanding in this game. Pakistan Women are just one wicket away from comfortably winning this match.

Short and outside off. Leah Paul cuts it to cover-point and takes a quick single.

Shortish and turns outside off. Leah Paul goes for the cut but misses.

Fuller one outside off. Cara Murray uses her feet and works it to covers for one.

Flatter one turns into the batter. Cara Murray defends it to covers.

Short and outside off. Cara Murray cuts it to covers and a misfield allows Murray to take one.

Cara Murray makes her way out to the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT! Sadia Iqbal has her first wicket and joins the party as well! Slower and full outside off. Arlene Kelly looks to the scoop and chips it off the cue end of the bat to the short fine leg region. Aiman Anwer runs forward and takes a good low catch to dismiss Arlene Kelly for 1 as Pakistan Women take their eighth wicket and are inching towards victory.

Quicker on the leg peg. Arlene Kelly uses her feet and fails to get any bat on it. Works off her pad to the onside.