Stokell’s maiden fifty powers Ireland to record chase against Pakistan

Ireland Women pulled off their highest chase in T20Is, beating Pakistan by seven wickets in the ongoing tri-series in Dublin on Sunday.

Rebecca Stokell smashed her first T20I fifty, spearheading a 177-run chase that gave Ireland their first points in the series. Their previous best T20I chase (171) was also against the same opposition at the same venue last year.

Wicketkeeper Amy Hunter led the charge early, using her feet well and bringing out the ramp shot. She reached her fifty in 41 balls but fell soon after, trying to go over long-off.

At that point, Ireland needed 82 with a little over eight overs remaining.

Stokell continued unbothered, using her tall frame to get to the pitch. A sweetly-timed four off a sweep got her to her maiden fifty.

Orla Prendergast came in at the perfect time, hitting Diana Baig for three fours in a row to bring the equation down to eight needed in two overs. Prendergast was out lbw in the penultimate over, but Leah Paul ensured there was no more drama. Stokell hit the winning runs.

Opting to bat first, Pakistan were hit by a late stutter that saw them post 176/6, when a much bigger total was in sight. Openers Feroza and Muneeba Ali attacked from the get-go. Muneeba hit a total of three sixes before falling off an off-cutter by Dalzell. After 14 overs, Pakistan were 148/3 and looked set to possibly cross 200.

But it wasn't to be. A well-set Saira Jabeen fell the following over. Fatima Sana managed a couple of boundaries, but their run-rate stalled in the final overs. Sana departed off the first ball of the final over, with only three runs coming from it, and Alia Riaz being run-out.

Ireland play West Indies next on Monday.

Brief scores: Pakistan Women 176/6 in 20 overs (Muneeba Ali 65, Saira Jabeen 36; Ava Canning 2-35, Arlene Kelly 1-25) lost to Ireland Women 177/3 in 19.1 overs (Rebecca Stokell 60*, Amy Hunter 56; Ayesha Zafar 2-24, Rameen Shamim 1-24) by seven wickets.