Ireland Women continued their impressive run in T20 cricket with a hard-fought 11-run victory over Pakistan in the opening match of the three-game series at Dublin. The win marked Ireland’s eighth consecutive T20I triumph, underlining their growing consistency and composure in tight contests.
Batting first after losing the toss, Ireland posted a competitive total of 142 in 19.4 overs. Amy Hunter anchored the innings with a fluent 37, setting the tone early on with crisp strokeplay and smart running between the wickets. She was supported by Leah Paul, who struck a quickfire 28 off 19 balls, and Orla Prendergast, whose all-round performance would go on to define the match.
Despite some strong bowling from Pakistan—particularly from skipper Fatima Sana who returned with figures of 4 for 26—Ireland managed to keep the scoreboard ticking and took advantage of lapses in fielding to edge closer to a defendable total.
Pakistan’s chase, in contrast, got off to a shaky start. Early wickets and scoreboard pressure dented their rhythm. Natalia Parvaiz (29) and Rameen Shamim (27) staged a brief fightback in the middle overs, but the chase never gained real momentum. Pakistan finished on 131 for 9 in 20 overs, falling short by 11 runs.
Orla Prendergast was the standout performer for Ireland, following her vital 29-run contribution with the bat by taking 3 crucial wickets during Pakistan’s innings. Her composure under pressure and ability to strike in key moments earned her the Player of the Match award.
Pakistan will view this as a missed opportunity. Their bowlers, led by Fatima Sana, did well to contain Ireland under 150, but their batters failed to seize the moment. Despite the experience within the squad, the inability to convert starts and build partnerships cost them dearly.
Ireland, meanwhile, continue to punch above their weight. With strong home support and a rapidly developing core of young players, they are becoming a formidable unit, particularly in the T20 format. This win not only gives them a 1–0 lead in the series but also a psychological edge heading into the second T20I.
The series resumes tomorrow, and Pakistan will be under pressure to respond. Fatima Sana’s leadership will be key, as she must rally her squad to bounce back and level the series. Ireland, on the other hand, will be looking to wrap up the series with another clinical performance.
This contest has already shown signs of being a closely-fought series, with Ireland’s spirited win setting the tone. If the opener was any indication, the remaining matches promise to be intense, tactical battles between two sides eager to make their mark on the global stage.