Pakistan women storm into Asian cricket semis

GUANGZHOU: Pakistan women stormed into the inaugural Twenty20 cricket event at the Asian Games 2010 on Monday when they defeated hosts China by a comfortable margin of nine wickets in Guangzhou.

Syeda Nain Fatima Abida of Pakistan and compatriot Nida Rashid react after their team defeated China. Courtesy: GETTY IMAGES

Pakistan, who are looking to win the first gold medal even up for grab in the Asian Games, exhibit all-round display as they first ended Chinese innings at 60 for five and then completed the target for the loss of only one wicket with 46 balls to spare.

The only wicket fell with just one run needed for the victory as Pakistan booked themselves a place in the semi-finals of the competition.

After wrapping up China in style, Pakistani openers, Nida Rashid and Javeria Wadood batted with confidence and method to score 27 runs each before Mei Chunhua got rid of Nida with Pakistan only one run away from an easy victory.

China were nothing but themselves to blame as they dropped Wadood twice and the Pakistani opener made full use of the two lives finishing the match in style by caressing the ball into the gap to hit the boundary which proved the winning runs on the second ball of the 13th over.

Pakistan players celebrate a China wicket during the women's group pool A cricket. Courtesy: GETTY IMAGES

Pakistan and Bangladesh are likely to meet each other in the final as both teams have been seeded one and two respectively. Bangladesh was due to take on Japan later today in an important Group B match.

Despite beating China easily, Pakistani women cricketers had praise for them. Opener Nida Rashid told media, “China did well, but I guess our international exposure is better and that’s why we came good today. Their fielding is good and they have some good fast bowlers, but they need to improve their batting”.

The only reason for joy for the Chinese cricketers came in their innings when Huang Zhuo hit the first six of the tournament by lofting one delivery from Pakistan skipper Sana Mir over Mid-Off boundary.

The hosts China are confirmed to get at least bronze medal despite of losing big to Pakistan.