Derby, 23 May 2024: England Women beat Pakistan Women by 37 runs in the first ODI at Derby on Thursday. In pursuit of the 244-run target, Muneeba Ali, batting at three, ended up as the top scorer for Pakistan scoring 34 off 60 balls. Muneeba shared a 30-run second-wicket stand with Sadaf Shamas who hit three boundaries in 28 off 48 balls.

Nida Dar (26, 38b, 3x4s) and Aliya Riaz (21, 32b, 3x4s) steered Pakistan from 117-4 to 149-4 after 34 overs where they required 95 off 96 balls with six wickets in hand. The tide turned in England’s favour when Nida, Fatima Sana and Aliya fell in 35^th, 36^th and 37^th over respectively.

Najiha Alvi remained unbeaten on 26 off 57 balls as Pakistan fell 37 runs short. Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean spun a web taking three and two wickets respectively. Pacers Lauren Bell and Kate Cross bagged two scalps each.

Earlier, after Pakistan opted to bowl, England’s opening batters, Tammy Beaumont (33, 40b, 5x4s) and Maia Bouchier (17, 24b, 2x4s) stitched a 45-run partnership before Nashra Sundhu struck to remove the latter.

Skipper Heather Knight occupied the crease for 49 balls returning for 29 before she was stumped by Najiha Alivi against Aliya. Nat-Sciver Brunt struck four boundaries in her 34-ball 31-run outing before she departed leaving England 118-4. A resurgent fifth wicket partnership, between Alice Capsey (44, 65b, 3x4s) and Amy Jones (37, 38b, 3x4s), worth 67 off 75 balls, kept the innings intact.

Following Capsey’s dismissal in the 44^th over with the scorecard reading 216-6, Sarah Glenn’s unbeaten effort of 16 runs off 13 balls propelled England to 243-9 in their 50 overs. For Pakistan, skipper Nida picked up three wickets while Aliya, Nashra and Umm-e-Hani bagged two wickets each.

Scores in brief:

England Women beat Pakistan Women by 37 runs

England Women 243-9, 50 overs (Alice Capsey 44, Amy Jones 37, Tammy Beaumont 33; Nida Dar 3-56, Aliya Riaz 2-24, Nashra Sundhu 2-41, Umm-e-Hani 2-43)

Pakistan Women 206-9, 50 overs (Muneeba Ali 34, Sadaf Shamas 28, Nida Dar 26, Najiha Alvi 26 not out; Sophie Ecclestone 3-26, Charlie Dean 2-39, Lauren Bell 2-42, Kate Cross 2-46)

Player of the match Sophie Ecclestone (England Women)

Second ODI Sunday, 26 May, Taunton (5pm PKT)

Third ODI Wednesday, 29 May, Chelmsford (3pm PKT)