CAPE TOWN: England sent a strong warning signal to their yet undecided opposition for the semifinal as they outclassed Pakistan in every sphere and sealed a dominant 114-run win in the Group B match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, here on Tuesday.
Electing to bat first, Nat Sciver-Brunt led the batting charge with a sensational knock of 81 not out from 40 balls to help England post a mammoth 213/5 – the highest total by any team in T20 World Cups.
In reply, Pakistan scored a paltry 99 for the loss of nine wickets in the 20 overs to end their World Cup campaign on a disappointing note.
England bowlers wreaked havoc on Pakistan’s fragile batting lineup which lacked its regular captain Bismah Maroof and all-rounder Ayesha Naseem due to injuries.
The Green Shirts struggled in their chase right from the start when Katherine Brunt struck on the very second delivery of the inning to dismiss Sadaf Shams on duck.
Pakistan lost its top three batters inside the first five overs for mere 15 runs with opener Muneeba Ali and Omaima Sohail falling prey to Charlie Dean and Nat Sciver, respectively.
The rest of the batting line also remained hapless in front of England’s solid bowling attack, which gathered wickets at regular intervals. Tuba Hasan made a consoling 28 from 20 balls late down the order to remain the top-scorer from her side.
Earlier Nat Sciver hit a dozen boundaries during her scintillating knock as she held the fort for England along with opener Danni Wyatt after early breakthroughs.
The two stitched an astounding partnership of 74 runs for the second wicket after England slumped to 33/2 in 4.3 overs following Sophie Dunkley and Alcie Capsey’s cheap dismissals.
Wyatt scored 59 from 33 balls before Tuba Hasan took her down in the 12th over.
Stand-in captain Nida Dar took the wicket of England captain Heather Knight in the next over to surpass West Indies’ Anisa Mohammed’s record of 125 wickets and become the highest wicket-taker in Women’s T20 internationals.
Amy Jones then joined hands with Sciver and played an exquisite knock of 31-ball 47, smashing five fours and six.
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