NORTHAMPTON: Alice Capsey backed her anchoring 31-run knock with two wickets and led England to humble Pakistan in the second T20I of the three-match series here on Friday.
Set to chase 145, Pakistan’s batting unit unfolded on a meagre 79 and thus, succumbed to a 65-run defeat against England.
The touring side, after a dismal start, lost wickets at regular intervals and were eventually bundled out for a paltry total in 15.5 overs.
All-rounder Aliya Riaz (19) remained the top-scorer for Pakistan, followed by Muneeba Ali (18) and Sidra Ameen (11) while the rest of their batters failed to make it into the double figures.
Sophie Ecclestone led the bowling attack for England with 3/11 while Sarah Glenn, Lauren Bell and Capsey bagged two wickets each.
Opting to bat first, England racked up 144/6 in the allotted 20 overs, courtesy of Alice Capsey and Brunt, who remained joint top-scorers with 31 apiece.
The home side had a shaky start to their innings as Danni Wyatt (6) fell victim to Waheeda Akhtar on the first delivery of the third over with just 16 runs on the board.
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Opening batter Maia Bouchier then knitted an anchoring partnership with Capsey to put England in a comfortable position.
The pair added 49 runs for the second wicket until a mix-up while running between the wickets saw Bouchier walking back after scoring a solid 30 off 26 deliveries with the help of five boundaries.
Capsey followed Bouchier’s footsteps and returned to the dugout in the next over after scoring a cautious 33. Her 31-ball knock included five boundaries.
Brunt then put together a one-sided partnership for the fourth wicket with England skipper Heather Knight (4) before both perished in successive overs as Pakistan forced a comeback.
Nat Sciver-Brunt smashed six boundaries on her way to a 21-ball 31.
Later, Danielle Gibson lifted England’s total with an unbeaten 18-run cameo which came off just nine deliveries while wicketkeeper batter Amy Jones played a supportive role with her 14-ball 15.
Skipper Nida Dar led the bowling attack for Pakistan women with 2/33 in her four overs while Fatima Sana, Diana Baig and Waheeda Akhtar made one scalp each.
READ: Pakistan kick off training as England T20I series looms