Pakistan thrash Ireland

Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and South Africa won their matches in ICC’s Women’s World Cup Qualifiers in Bangladesh on Tuesday. Pakistan beat Ireland despite an improved batting performance from Isobel Joyce’s side at Khanshaheb Osman Ali Stadium. The side managed to make 140 with Jill Whelan proving to be the pick of the Ireland batters, managing to contribute 35 runs to the total, while her team-mates didn’t prove to be quite as successful. Sadia Yousuf was the pick of the Pakistani bowlers, with the 22-year-old claiming 4-19. In reply, Pakistan lost just two wickets, openers Qanita Jalil and Sana Mir with the captain departing off the bowling of 13-year-old Elena Tice. Tice tempted the Pakistani captain to edge the ball through to Whelan behind the stumps and she walked on 34 runs. Javeria Wadood and the star of the previous match batting, Bismah Maroof, guided the side to victory.
Sri Lanka bounced back from defeat to South Africa by beating Netherlands by seven wickets at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Meanwhile, hosts Bangladesh also recovered from its loss to Pakistan yesterday by crushing Japan by ten wickets at BKSP* 2. Salma Khatun’s side skittled Japan for 38 runs and knocked off the target in just 4.4 overs without losing a batter in the process.
The second day saw Pakistan and South Africa beating Ireland and USA respectively. At Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dilani Manodara and Helmien Rambaldo led their sides in front of a crowd of 300 in the sides’ one-day international game in Dhaka.
Rambaldo elected to bat having won the toss and it was a choice the 31-year-old may have regretted after her side failed to post more than 61 runs on the board or make it to 50 overs.
Sri Lanka’s spin bowling attack of Suwini de Alwis, Sherina Ravikumar and Udeshika Prabhodani proved to be the key players for the innings with the trio taking two wickets each. Rambaldo’s top order failed to make runs, with opener Marijn Nijman departing for a duck after having her stumps rearranged by Sripali Weerakkody. Kerry-Anne Tomlinson along with Esther Lanser and Denise Hannema attempted to stabilise things but Manodara’s bowlers had other plans in mind. With some strong fielding and tight bowling the side had the Dutch all out for just 61 as the sun begin to rise to its midday position.
In response, the Sri Lankans made 47 towards the total before lunch, but not before the team had lost Yasoda Mendis and Eshani Kaushalya, the former being clean bowled for 26 by Laura Brouwers.
After lunch it took Chamari Attappattu and de Alwis to knock off the remaining runs but not before Attappattu was stumped by Miranda Veringmeier as the 21-year-old fell just short of her mark. It left Weerakkody and de Alwis to finish the innings and give Sri Lanka an early finish ahead of tomorrow’s rest day.
Hosts Bangladesh bounced back from yesterday’s defeat to claim a resounding victory over the East-Asia Pacific qualifiers, Japan, making its debut in the tournament at BKSP 2.
Salma Khatun’s side proved to be the stronger of the two, with Ema Kuribayashi’s team bowled out for a meagre 38 runs in 28.3 overs. Katun and Suktana Rahaman proved the pick of the bowlers with the duo taking five wickets each, Khatun’s five wickets for just five runs earned the 21-year-old her first Player of the Match award.