“What a knock by captain!”- Twitter reacts as Bismah Maroof’s scintillating knock steers Pakistan to challenging total

Apart from her, Ayesha Naseem scored 43 runs off 25 balls with two fours and two maximums at an impressive strike rate of 172. They also stitched an unbreakable 81-run stand between them.

“What a knock by captain!”- Twitter reacts as Bismah Maroof’s scintillating knock steers Pakistan to challenging total

Bismah Maroof

India are playing their campaign opener in the 2023 T20 World Cup against Pakistan on Sunday (February 10) at the Newlands in Cape Town. Pakistan skipper Bismah Maroof won the toss and opted to bat first. She played a brilliant unbeaten knock along with Ayesha Naseem‘s quickfire, which helped their side reach a challenging total of 149/4 in their allotted 20 overs.

Pakistan did not have a fiery start as they lost their openers, Muneeba Ali and Javaira Khan for 12 and eight respectively. But Maroof, who came to bat at No.3, steadied the ship and slowly took the team to the total.

She took 55 balls to score 68 runs, including seven boundaries at a strike rate of 123.64. It was also her second fifty against India. Apart from her, Ayesha Naseem scored 43 runs off 25 balls with two fours and two maximums at an impressive strike rate of 172. They also stitched an unbreakable 81-run stand between them.

Related: How Team India can qualify for WTC final after an innings and 132-run win over Australia in 1st Test?

Check how Twitter reacted to Bismah Maroof and Ayesha Naseem’s knocks

Bismah Maroof
Bismah Maroof and Ayesha Naseem
https://twitter.com/SharyOfficial/status/1624776245224345601
https://twitter.com/SharyOfficial/status/1624784202523713536
https://twitter.com/crypt0cityx/status/1624784724014288903
https://twitter.com/i__skas/status/1624784645047951361

Taking about the bowlers, Radha Yadav scalped two, while Deepti Sharma and Pooja Vastrakar got one each. The fielding was not up to the mark and there were also a few dropped catches from the Indian fielders.

India, although they had a good start with the new ball, will be disappointed. Pakistan were four down at 68 at one stage but their recovery had been excellent. Bowlers Radha Yadav, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, and Renuka Singh started well but conceded lots of runs later.

Now it’s up to the batters how they’ll chase the target given that they also do not have a strong batting line-up. Their hard-hitting opener Smriti Mandhana has been ruled out of the opener due to a finger injury.

India scored 27/0 in four overs at the time of writing this article. Openers Yastika Bhatiya and Shafali Verma are at the crease playing at 168 and 10* respectively.

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