Pakistan’s women’s cricket team closed their T20I series in style on Sunday, securing an emphatic eight-wicket win against Ireland in Dublin — thanks to a masterclass from opener Muneeba Ali.
The visitors chased down Ireland’s 155-run target with ease at Clontarf Cricket Club Ground, finishing the job in just 17.4 overs. Muneeba’s unbeaten century was the standout, making her the only Pakistani woman to have scored two centuries in T20 internationals.
Ireland’s Bright Start Fizzles Out
Put in to bat, Ireland made a solid start through openers Orla Prendergast and Amy Hunter. The duo stitched together 50 runs for the first wicket, with Hunter’s patient 29 off 33 balls keeping things steady.
Prendergast, however, was the real driving force, striking eight boundaries in an impressive 64 not out off 46 deliveries. Captain Gaby Lewis added quick runs with a 22-ball 36, but the middle order couldn’t build on the platform. Leah Paul (11) and Rebecca Stokell (5) fell cheaply before Laura Delany’s two-ball 5 not out closed the innings at 155-4.
Pakistan’s bowling attack shared the spoils, with Fatima Sana, Sadia Iqbal, Waheeda Akhtar and Rameen Shamim taking one wicket apiece.
Muneeba and Aliya Seal the Chase
Pakistan’s pursuit got off to a shaky start when Shawaal Zulfiqar (3) and Natalia Pervaiz (9) departed early, but the setback only set the stage for a dominant rescue act.
Muneeba and Aliya Riaz took complete control, punishing Ireland’s bowlers with a mix of precision and power. Aliya struck 39 off 27 balls, peppering the boundary five times, while Muneeba’s flawless 100 off 68 balls — laced with 14 fours and a six — made light work of the required run rate.
Ireland’s Ava Canning and Lara McBride claimed the only two wickets to fall, but the damage was long done.
Series Wrap-Up
While the victory gave Pakistan a morale boost, Ireland walked away with the series 2-1 — a significant achievement against a higher-ranked opponent. For Pakistan, Muneeba’s innings will be remembered as a rare and historic feat in women’s T20 cricket, even in a losing series.
