Pakistan left-hander Muneeba Ali hit the first century of the Women’s T20 World Cup when she made 102 against Ireland at Newlands in Cape Town on Wednesday, setting up a 70-run win for her team. The bespectacled left-handed opening batter and wicketkeeper said encouragement from veteran Nida Dar
during a century partnership helped her reach the milestone.
“She always had the message for me to keep going and score big,” said Muneeba. Pakistan made 165 for five after they were sent in to bat.
Ireland were bowled out for 95, with left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu claiming career-best figures of four for 18.
The margin of the win provided a big boost to Pakistan’s net run rate and lifted their hopes of reaching the semi-finals despite losing to India in their opening match. The slightly-built Muneeba had not previously scored a half-century in 44 T20 internationals although she made a one-day international hundred against the same opponents in Lahore last November.

Brief scores: Pakistan 165-5 in 20 overs (Muneeba Ali 102, Nida Dar 33; A. Kelly 2-27) bt Ireland 95 in 16.3 overs (O. Prendergast 31; Sadia Iqbal 2-17, Nida Dar 2-5, Nashra Sandhu 4-18) by 70 runs.