ICC Women’s World Cup 2017, England vs Pakistan: 5 Talking Points

#3 Ayesha Zafar only positive for Pakistan

Ayesha Zafar led a solo fightback

The Pakistan women’s team slumped to their second successive defeat at the World Cup and their chances of qualifying for the semi-finals now appear bleak. The silver lining in an otherwise dismal performance, though, was Ayesha Zafar’s resilient innings.

Chasing 378 was impossible, but Pakistan hoped they could get close. They might have even hoped for rain to interrupt the game in which scenario scoring just about a run-a-ball with wickets in hand would have helped them get to the par score after 20 overs.

However, three of their batswomen were dismissed cheaply. Their chances were dealt a heavy blow but Zafar led a solo fight back. She refused to bow down and played in a composed manner, waiting for the bad balls and dispatching them to the fence. In her 77-ball 56, she hit eight boundaries and was the only Pakistani batter who posed any threat.