Pakistan v England, Potchefstroom
The England selectors wisely made four changes to the XI for their second match of the tournament. Everyone in the squad needed a chance to show her skills. Now they were up against a Pakistan side that had also won their opening game.
Grace Scrivens achieved a captain’s main job; she won the toss.
The top four batters retained their places, but showed some vulnerability in the early overs. In the T20 format you need to get on with things; the danger is that an over-ambitious strike can lead to a quick downfall. There were a number of airy shots, only some of which fell into open country.
Syeda Aroob Shah
The thorn in their side was the Pakistan captain, Syeda Aroob Shah. After dropping one catch, she proceeded to take three more to dismiss the openers Scrivens (24) and Libby Heap (4), then near the end Alexa Stonehouse. All three catches were good, but the second of them was utterly outstanding.
She caught the ball an inch from the ground, diving rearwards. Her fielding reached great heights, one dive and flick to prevent a boundary another masterpiece.
But England have strength in depth. Despite losing both Niahm Holland and Charis Pavely for 13, two batters making their debut at the crease, Seren Smale, the keeper, (37/33) and Ryana Macdonald-Gay 35*/22, 3×4, 1×6), took the game away from the opposition.
The 38 the lower order took off the last four overs proved decisive.
Six of the batters scored at more than a run per ball, Hannah Baker, better known in the Hundred for her leg-spin prowess, topping the charts with an SR of 266! In English that was 8 runs off 3 balls.
The early bowling damage was caused by Sophia Smale, who once more impressed with her left- arm spin. No need to compare her with another slow left-armer who happens to be tall and fair- haired like her; this is a star in the making in her own right.
Baker then added to Pakistan woes by bowling her leggers with demanding accuracy.
In this innings Scrivens was able to use no fewer than eight bowlers, such was their command of the game.
It wasn’t a complete performance; only five wickets fell, one to a run-out by Pavely. But in the heat of the day – it reminded British watchers of last summer when the mercury topped 40 degrees, though outside in the UK it felt nearer -40 – everybody had to concentrate on every ball. Such is the competition for places that any minor slip or inattention could cost them dear over the rest of the tournament.
It was good to hear that the Pakistan board is also taking pains to develop girls’ cricket. They have some talented performers who will certainly feature at a higher level.
It was a close-fought battle between the two keepers; who could shout the loudest, the longest? Zamina Tahir won on points. Now for the throat lozenges.
For the first time in the main tournament both the S. Smales played together. No relations, but their paths have crossed before. One shirt shows S O, the other S.E. I doubt if any team-mate has yet dared offer them Semolina and Somalia as nicknames. Both have a bright future in the game.
Scores:
England 156-7
Pakistan 103-5 England win by 53 runs
Teams:
Pakistan
Shawaal Zulfiqar, Eyman Fatima, Warda Yousaf, Syeda Aroob Shah (captain), Laiba Nasir, Aliza Khan, Areesha Noor Bhatti, Anosha Nasir, Rida Aslam, Zamina Tahir (w-k), Zaib-un-Nisa
England
Grace Scrivens (captain), Libby Heap, Niamh Holland, Charis Pavely, Seren Smale (w-k), Ryana Macdonald-Gay, Lizzie Scott, Alexa Stonehouse, Hannah Baker, Emma Marlow, Sophia Smale
