Pakistan women's cricket team created history in Dunedin on Tuesday by edging past New Zealand women and securing their first-ever series win against the White Ferns at the University of Otago Oval in Dunedin.
New Zealand women had a record of 8-0 against Pakistan women in T20Is before the start of December 2023.
But, two back-to-back games changed everything for Pakistani girls.
After winning the first game by seven wickets at the same venue, the Girls in Green outclassed their opponents by 10 runs in the second game to ensure a decisive lead of 2-0.
The hosts were restricted to 127/7 by Pakistan after they managed to post 137/6.
For Pakistan, Aalia Riaz scored 32 off 22 hitting one shot over the boundary and three strokes to the fence. Muneeba Ali, the opener, scored 35.
In reply, New Zealand was once 89/6, thanks to disciplined bowling by Pakistanis before Georgia Pimmer and Hamma Rowe fought back and made an attempt to bring the hosts back into the game.
However, they remained 10 runs short as Fatima Sana successfully defended 17 off last over.
She claimed three wickets while Sadia Iqbal sent two players back to the pavilion.
This is Pakistan's second win in the series against the Kiwis after it defeated them in the first game by seven wickets at the same venue on Sunday.
The home side looked helpless against the Pakistani bowling attack and with never-ending struggle, could only score 127-6 in the allocated overs.
Chasing the target of 128 runs, Pakistan played cautiously and didn’t lose wickets in the early overs as they knew the total they had to chase wasn’t that big.
New Zealand Squad
Sophie Devine (c), Kate Anderson, Suzie Bates, Bernadine Bezuidenhout, Eden Carson (T20I only), Izzy Gaze (ODI & 1st T20I), Maddy Green, Fran Jonas, Melie Kerr, Jess Kerr, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu
Pakistan Squad
Nida Dar (captain), Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Ghulam Fatima, Muneeba Ali (wk), Najiha Alvi (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Umm-e-Hani, and Waheeda Akhtar
Schedule of remaining matches:
Third T20I: December 9, Sir John Davies Oval, Queenstown
First ODI: December 12, Sir John Davies Oval, Queenstown
Second ODI: December 15, Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Third ODI: December 18, Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Faizan Lakhani Faizan Lakhani is Deputy Editor (Sports) at Geo News.