- England defeated Pakistan in the first ODI of the series.
- Pakistan bowlers restricted England to 243/9.
- Pakistan had a good start but lost five wickets quickly.
In the ODI series opener in Derby, the Pakistan women’s team was defeated by England after the visitors were unable to reach a target of 244 runs.
Choosing to bowl first, Pakistan’s bowlers limited the home team to 243/9, with team captain Nida Dar leading the effort with three wickets.
Chasing a victory target of 244 runs, Pakistan ended their innings at 206 for nine. England’s spinners Sophie Ecclestone (3/26) and Charlie Dean (2/39) shifted the balance of the match in England’s favour.
Ecclestone is on the verge of setting a record for the quickest to score a century in women’s ODI cricket. However, she needs to achieve this in the series’ second game on Sunday to overtake Australia’s Cathryn Fitzpatrick.
Pakistan was in a comfortable position at 149 for four in the 35th over, but a sudden loss of five wickets for 29 runs within seven overs shattered their aspirations.
Sadaf Shamas, Muneeba Ali, and team captain Nida Dar set a solid groundwork as Pakistan strived for their maiden ODI win over England in their 13th attempt.
The visiting team also gained from England’s inconsistent bowling, with a staggering 31 wides contributing to a record 40 extras, along with two unusual missed catches by wicket-keeper Amy Jones.
Nonetheless, Lauren Bell (two for 31) was able to generate movement from the pitch to make early breakthroughs, while Ecclestone and Dean applied pressure before Kate Cross took a couple of late wickets.
Invited to bat first, England scored 243 for nine in their 50 overs. Maia Bouchier made 17 before being dismissed by Nashra Sandhu, and her opening partner Tammy Beaumont was out for 33 following a successful lbw appeal by Umm-e-Hani.
Team captain Heather Knight, who was dropped twice by Hani on zero and 18, was eventually dismissed for 29 when wicket-keeper Najiha Alvi caught her attempt to cut off Aliya Riaz.
With Nat Sciver-Brunt, who boasts an impressive average of 80 against Pakistan, falling for 31 caught behind off Riaz, England found themselves at 118 for four and in need of stability.
This stability was provided by a skillful 67-run partnership between Alice Capsey and Jones, with Jones contributing 37 from 38 balls.
Teenager Capsey showed wisdom beyond her years, scoring a personal best of 44 in ODIs after a series of low scores in this format.
Dean added a handy 20, and Fatima Sana’s drop in the final over, the fourth of the innings, stopped Pakistan from dismissing England for the first time in a one-day match.
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