World T20: Javeria's career-best 74* helps Pakistan defeat Ireland

GUYANA: Pakistan Women captain Javeria Khan’s unbeaten knock of 74 off 52 balls gave Pakistan their first win of the ICC Women’s World T20 2018 in West Indies on Tuesday.

In a must-win game for both the teams, Khan led the way as Pakistan stayed alive in the tournament with a 38-run defeat of Ireland at the Providence Stadium.

Batting first, the women in green posted a strong total of 139 for 6 before an all-round bowling effort turned the chase into a no-show.

Ireland Women started off well with Clare Shillington scoring five breezy boundaries in her innings of 27, however, once she was stumped by Nashra Sandhu, the Irish failed to build on her momentum.

Only Isobel Joyce stayed on the pitch long enough to score a 30.

For Pakistan, Sandhu picked up two wickets for eight runs with former captain Sana Mir, Aiman Anwer and Aliya Riaz each chipping in with two wickets each to give Pakistan their first victory in the tournament.

Ireland remain at bottom of Group B after their second defeat of the tournament, while Pakistan's first win of the tournament keeps them third.

The win keeps Pakistan in the qualification hunt although they will have to rely on one of (or both) India and Australia to climb up in the group for any chance of progression.

Pakistan lost their opening game of the tournament by 52 runs to Australia and then their second match to rivals India by seven wickets.

Pakistan next face New Zealand on November 15.