Ireland women crush Pakistan

Isobel Joyce smashed a magnificent unbeaten 56 to help Ireland to an emphatic 9 wicket win over Pakistan in their RSA Twenty20 clash at The Hills.

Chasing a Duckworth/Lewis adjusted total of 91 in 15 overs, Ireland raced to victory in just 10.3 overs, as Joyce and Clare Shillington put the Pakistani attack to the sword.

The pair added 66 in just 6.5 overs, with Shillington making 22 from 20 balls, before being trapped lbw by Sana Mir - this was after the first over of the Irish reply was a maiden!

That was to prove the solitary success for Pakistan, as Joyce reached her half century from just 29 balls, hitting 6 fours and 2 sixes in a innings of genuine quality.

She was particulary severe on Almas Akram, who conceded 20 runs in the solitary over she bowled, while 26 came from the 2 overs bowled by Qanita Jalil. Emma Beamish (2*) was the other Irish batsman to get to the crease.

Earlier Pakistan had scored 80/3 in 15 overs before a rain shower ended their innings. Sajda Shah (27*), Nazia Sadiq (23), Marina Iqbal (14), and Lirooj Mumtaz (12*) the main contributors in a steady if not exactly spectacular exhibition of batting.

Skipper Heather Whelan (1-5), led from the front, while her sister Jill (1-16) was the other wicket taker, and she also contributed to the run out of Iqbal.