CHRISTCHURCH: The New Zealand women’s team defeated the Pakistan women’s team in a close encounter by one wicket in the second ODI match to clinch the three-match ODI series.
New Zealand were leading the series 1-0 after winning the opening game, and the victory in the second match gave them a series-winning lead of 2-0.
The hosts invited Pakistan to bat first and reduced to 35-4 in 12 overs.
However, Pakistan captain Fatima Sana scored an impressive unbeaten 90 from 104 balls with the help of seven boundaries and one six to help her side reach 220.
Other notable contributors were Natalia Pervaiz with 39 and Najiha Alvi with 32 runs.
Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Sophie Devine returned with bowling figures of 3-25.
In response, New Zealand lost two early wickets to Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana.
However, Suzie Bates and Maddy Green knitted a solid 142-run partnership to bring New Zealand’s chase on track before Ghulam Fatima dismissed both players.
Bates scored 74 off 91 with the help of eight boundaries, whereas, Green scored 83 runs from 96 balls, featuring five boundaries.
Ghulam Fatima picked two more wickets to reduce New Zealand to 182-6 in the 40th over.
Lea Tahuhu (21) held on to her nerves amidst falling wickets on the other end to help his side reach the finish line with seven balls at the loss of nine wickets.
Ghulam Fatima topped the bowling charts for the Pakistan women’s team with figures of 4-47, while Fatima Sana picked two wickets.
The last ODI will be played on 18th December at the same venue.
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