Shaiza Khan spins Pakistan women to narrow victory against Netherlands

Pakistan women whipped Netherlands by four wickets in the second match, played at National Stadium, Karachi, to take two-nil lead in the seven match series. In yet another poor display of ball-control, the Dutch bowlers threw 67 wides out of a total of 73 extras, while defending a meager 161.

This is the Dutch visitors¡¯ second defeat within three days, after their one-wicket humiliation in the first match of the series. In that particular match, they gave away 66 extras, including 45 wides to manufacture their own demise.

Apart from the number of extras conceded, the Dutch players were strangled by the Pakistan skipper Shiaza Khan. The right-handed leg break bowler removed the four top order batswomen to force the visitors against the wall from the start of their innings. She grabbed one more wicket after that to complete a magnificent five-wicket haul for just 35 runs.

Put into bat Pakistan skipper Shaiza Khan, the Dutch women were boosted by a well-made 58 by B Viguurs. Coming at the crease after the fall of five wickets, the right-handed Viguurs grafted her innings with caution after Shaiza had the done initial damage, reducing the visitors to 68 for five by the 19th over.

She added 27 for the 6th wicket with Oudolf 13 (28 balls, 1 four) to take the score close to one hundred run mark. The fall of two quick wickets at this stage reduced Netherlands to 106 for seven by the 34th over.

It was at this point that Viguurs shook off her defensive approach and almost single-handedly took the score to 160 in the allotted 50 overs. She remained unbeaten with 58 against her name. She hit 6 boundaries in an innings spanning 124 balls.

The Dutch skipper Pauline te Beest also played a useful knock of 32 to provide a stable foundation for Viguurs to get some runs in the later overs. She faced 52 balls and smashed 4 fours before becoming one of Shaiza Khan¡¯s five victims.

Apart from Shaiza, Khursheed Jabeen also bowled well taking two for 34 in nine overs. Kiran Baluch and Mehwish Khan grabbed one wicket each for 25 (10 overs) and 10 (5 overs), respectively.

Pakistnan women, in their reply, started shakily, losing two wickets for just 20 on the board. It was only for a 40-run third wicket partnership between Kiran Baluch (29) and Rabia Khan (8), which brought stability to the score.

Getting rid of these two for 85 by the 22nd over, Netherlands gave themselves a fair chance to come back into the match. But some very wayward bowling at this stage allowed Pakistan to steal a close victory.

Sajjida Shah, the player of the match in the previous encounter, played yet another patient knock to ultimately steer her side through. Yet it was her slow tactic, facing 104 balls to score 11, which really took the match in the 49th over of the innings.

Shaiza Khan was declared player of the match for his excellent match winning display of spin bowling.

The next match of the series will be played Thursday, April 11.