LEICESTER: Natalie Sciver and Heather Knight posted scintillating maiden hundreds to propel England to an Women’s World Cup record score of 377 and set up their comfortable 107-run win against Pakistan yesterday.
Leading the recovery when the hosts were reeling at 42 for two, the duo shared a 213-run partnership that ultimately helped the home side open their account on the points tally.
The entertaining batting display was followed by rain-hit chase which saw England racing further ahead with three quick wickets to put the disappointment of a surprise loss to India in their tournament opener behind them.
From where England stood shortly after the mandatory power play, it didn’t look Pakistan were in for a long day in the field, having elected to field. After sending down three wides in a row, Kainat Imtiaz trapped Sarah Taylor in front of leg stump to draw first blood in a see-saw fourth over.
That soon became two-down as Tammy Beaumont was done in by lack of footwork. Dropped at slip off the very first ball of the game, the opener failed to make the most of the opportunity and edged behind to depart for a 27-ball 14.
When Sciver joined hands with her skipper Knight in the middle, England’s priority remained stringing together a partnership strong enough to withstand the spin test that was to follow.
Alliance
The duo, however, went one step further and added 213 in their 30-over alliance that left Pakistan playing catch up for better part of the game. Sciver was particularly severe on the visitors and predominantly the force that helped England turn the tables on Pakistan.
While her captain was adopting a more watchful approach, Sciver brought forward her punishing form from the domestic championship to send the Pakistan bowlers on a leather hunt. She was neither bogged down by the pacers nor did she let the spinners settle into their rhythm, brining up a hundred in just 76 deliveries, striking at over 130 and studded with 13 boundaries.
Sciver’s hundred came with the first of the back-to-back boundaries off Sadia Yousuf in the 39th over that also took England past 250.
Pakistan were never in with a chance with a mountain to climb and it didn’t help that the English bowlers kept chipping away at regular intervals. Despite Ayesha Zafar’s personal best of 56 not out, and her defiant 40-run stand with Nain Abidi, Pakistan could only manage 107 for three on the board by the time rain came pelting down.
Brief scores: England 377-7 in 50 overs (Natalie Sciver 137, Heather Knight 106, Danielle Wyatt 42*; Asmavia Iqbal 3-62, Kainat Imtiaz 2-68) bt Pakistan 107/3 in 29.2 overs (Ayesha Zafar 56*, Nain Abidi 23*; Katherine Brunt 2-21, Alex Hartley 1-13) by 107 runs (by DLS Method).
TODAY’S MATCH
New Zealand vs South Africa
(Derby. Starting 12.30pm)