Report By Saher Ilsa
Dublin, Pakistan Women defeated Ireland Women by 8 wickets in the third T20 International, thanks to a magnificent century by Muneeba Ali. With this win, Pakistan avoided a whitewash, as Ireland had already secured the three-match series 2-1, winning the first game by 11 runs and the second by 4 wickets.
Winning the toss, Ireland Women opted to bat and posted 155/4 in their 20 overs. Captain Gaby Lewis (36 off 8 fours) and Amy Hunter (29) added 52 for the opening wicket. Orla Prendergast played a fine unbeaten knock of 64, hitting 8 fours, marking her ninth T20I half-century and second of the series.
In reply, Pakistan chased down the target in 17.4 overs, reaching 156/2. Muneeba Ali dominated from the start, hitting three consecutive boundaries off the first three balls of the innings. She remained unbeaten on 100 off 68 balls, with 14 fours and a six her second T20I century.
After losing Shawaal Zulfiqar (3) and Natalia Pervaiz (9), Muneeba and Aliya Riaz stitched an unbroken 101-run stand for the third wicket. Aliya scored 39* with five boundaries, ensuring Pakistan ended the series on a high note.