PAKISTAN EDGE TIGHT RAIN-AFFECTED CONTEST

Scotland Women suffered a narrow defeat to Pakistan in a rain-affected World Cup Qualifier in Lahore.

 

The inclement weather say play delayed by three hours, with the contest reduced to 32-overs each. When play did get underway, Scotland posted a competitive-looking 186-9, behind a superb 91 from Kathryn Bryce.

 

In response, Muneeba Ali (71) and Aliya Riaz (68*) starred for the hosts, as Pakistan reached their target for the loss of four wickets, with eight balls remaining.

 

Head Coach Craig Wallace said: "We're really disappointed to have lost the game, but credit to Pakistan, they played really well at the end to get over the line.

 

"For us, there were some really good parts to our performance where we controlled a lot of the game, but unfortunately some key moments let us down.

 

"We're looking forward to going up against Thailand next, and learning from those moments, and playing as well as we know we can across the full game."

 

Scotland were pegged back early on, losing opening pair Abbi Aitken-Drummond (1) and Pippa Sproul (9) inside the opening five overs.

 

That brought Kathryn and Sarah Bryce together, who added 51 for the third wicket before the latter fell, Riaz taking a simple catch off the bowling of Nashra Sandhu.

 

 

Kathryn Bryce and Ailsa Lister then took their side to 123, adding 55 in 47 deliveries for the fifth wicket before Lister perished for a 24-ball 31.

 

The Scotland skipper continued to score in all areas as wickets fell around her, finally falling to the final ball of the innings for an outstanding 91, as she led her side to 186-9.

 

Scotland would have been confident having already tasted success batting first, and their defence here started superbly as Katherine Fraser removed Gull Feroza for just two.

 

 

Chloe Abel combined with Sarah Bryce behind the stumps to remove Sidra Amin, as Pakistan slipped to 36-2.

 

That brought together Ali and Riaz, the pair taking the attack to Scotland as they added 93 for the third wicket, when Abel struck again to remove Ali for 71.

 

Rachel Slater removed Pakistan captain Fatima Sana for just seven, at which point the chasing side required 31 from the final five overs.

 

The game was firmly in the balance, but Riaz and Sidra Nawaz were able to combine for a flurry of boundaries to get their side across the line with eight deliveries remaining.

 

Scotland return to action on Sunday morning against Thailand, live on icc.tv.