CUTTACK 29-Jan-2013 178
Pakistan geared up for their ICC Women`s World Cup campaign with a morale-boosting 95-run win over Odisha XI in the first of the two warm-up matches here at Barabati Stadium today. Vice-captain Bismah Maroof and Nain Abidi hit a half-century each to help Pakistan make a healthy total of 240 in 48.4 overs. In reply, the home team folded up for 145 despite a captain`s knock of 53 (111b, 8x4) by Madhusmita Behera.
Electing to bat, Pakistan got off to a disastrous start, losing both the openers, including skipper Sana Mir with only seven runs on the board. But a majestic 148-run stand for the third wicket between Maroof (76 off 92, 12x4) and Abidi (73 off 94, 7x4, 1x6) proved to be most important factor in the Pakistan win. Javeria Khan (33) and Qanita Jalil (25) also made useful contributions for the visitors. Among the Odisha bowlers, Sujata Mallick and Gangotree Behera were impressive, scalping three wickets each.
Chasing the competitive target, Odisha were crawled to 84 in 30 overs, while losing the wicket of their lone internatonal Madhuri Meheta for 13. But in an attempt to keep their wickets intact, skipper Behera and stumper Kadambini Mahakud adopted ultra defensive approach, which drastically slowed the flow of runs and eventually led to the home team`s defeat.
However, Behera played a nice innings, hitting some delightful shots. All-rounder Gangotree Behera also shone with the bat, hitting a quick-fire 31 with the help of five boundaries. Odisha women, of course, took one positive from the match by batting out the full 50 overs. Asmavia Iqbal was the most successful Pakistan bowlers, bagging three wickets for 20 runs.
Besides their good batting, Pakistani women excelled in fielding. They saved a lot runs in the deep and held catch efficiently. Among the fielder, skipper Sana Mir stood out, taking a sizzling one-handed return catch off Kadambini Mahakud.
SCOREBORAD
PAKISTAN: Sana Mir c Mahakud b Mallick 2, Nahida Khan (run out) 2, Nain Abidi c Rath b Kamal 73, Bismah Maroof c M Behera b Pradhan 76, Nida Dar c Mahakud b Pradhan 0, Javeria Khan c Rath b G Behera 33, Qanita Jalil c Mahakud b G Behera 25, Asmavia Iqbal c G Behera b Mallick 3, Sidra Ameen st Mahakud b G Behera 6, Batool Fatima (not out) 4, Sadia Yousuf b Mallick 0; Extras (b-2, lb-2, w-12) 16
Total (10 wkts; 48.4 overs) 240
Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-7, 3-155, 4-155, 5-173, 6-210, 7-228, 8-230, 9-239
Bowling: Sujata Mallick 9.4-0-43-3, Ritu Singh 7-2-20-0, Priyanka P Sahu 9-1-29-0, Swagatika Rath 3-0-16-0, Jyoti Kamal 7-0-42-1, Sushree D Pradhan 7-0-51-2, Madhusmita Behera 2-0-17-0, Gangotree Behera 4-0-18-3.
ODISHA: Madhuri Meheta c Fatima b Iqbal 13, Madhusmita Behera c Mir b Iqbal 53, Kadambini Mahakud c&b Mir 21, Sarita Meher c Fatima b Mir 0, Swagatika Rath lbw Yousuf 5, Pragyan Mohanty c Maroof b Iqbal 1, Gangotree Behera st Fatima b Yousuf 31, Priyanka P Sahoo c&b Maroof 7, Sushree D Pradhan (not out) 4, Jyoti K Barik (not out) 1; Extras (b-1, w-13) 14
Total (8 wkts; 50 overs) 145
Fall of wickets: 1-27, 2-84, 3-84, 4-96, 5-100, 6-117, 8-145, 9-145
Bowling: Qanit Jalil 8-1-35-0, Asmavia Iqbal 10-0-20-3, Sumaiya Siddiqi 5-2-10-0, Sadia Yousuf 7-4-9-2, Sana Mir 8-2-25-2, Bismah Maroof 7-2-26-1, Nida Dar 5-0-19-0.
