Northampton, 17 May 2024: England Women beat Pakistan Women by 65 runs in the second T20I at Northampton to take the unassailable 2-0 lead.

Pakistan restricted England to 144-6 as skipper Nida Dar led from front taking two wickets and also becoming the leading wicket-taker (137) in Women’s T20Is. In return, Pakistan could only manage 79 all out in 15.5 overs as English spinners Sophie Ecclestone (3-11), Alice Capsey (2-4) and Sarah Glenn (2-10) shared seven wickets among each other.

Pakistan found themselves in trouble early in pursuit of the 145-run target after Lauren Bell removed Gell Feroza (3, 7b) and Sadaf Shamas (0, 4b) cheaply. Muneeba Ali raced to 18 off 12 before falling to Ecclestone as Pakistan finished the powerplay with 41-3.

Leg spinner Glenn pinned Nida leg before in the seventh over to leave Pakistan reeling. Aliya Riaz injected some aggression into the innings as she hit three boundaries in a space of six balls racing to 16 off 10. Sidra (11, 16b, 2x4s) was run out after a mix-up with Aliya in the middle to disrupt the 19-run partnership. At the halfway mark, Pakistan stood 66-5 but only managed 13 more runs before getting bundled out for 79 in 15. 5 overs.

Earlier, after England opted to bat first, Waheeda Akhtar castled Danni Wyatt in the third over. Capsey unleashed a flurry of boundaries in the fifth over against Waheeda ransacking 20 runs. England finished the powerplay with 48-1. The duo of Maia Bouchier and Capsey stitched a 49-run second-wicket stand after Bouchier was run out courtesy of a brilliant throw from Diana Baig.

Nida struck to get Capsey (31, 33b, 5x4s) stumped in the 12^th over. Nat Sciver-Brunt provided the much-needed impetus to England’s innings as she raced to 31 off 20 hitting six boundaries before falling to Sadia Iqbal. Heather Knight struggled during her eight-ball stay in the middle as she holed out to Waheeda at long-off.

Nida, bowling the last over, dismissed Amy Jones (15, 14b, 1×4) to bag the milestone wicket. Danielle Gibson (18 not out, 9b, 2x4s, 1×6) belted a six and a four off the last two balls to help England reach 144-6 in 20 overs. Apart from Nida’s two scalps, Waheeda, Sadia and Diana bagged one each.

Scores in brief:

England Women beat Pakistan Women by 65 runs

England Women 144-6, 20 overs (Nat Sciver-Brunt 31, Alice Capsey 31, Maia Bouchier 30; Nida Dar 2-33)

Pakistan Women 79 all out, 15.5 overs (Aliya Riaz 19, Muneeba Ali 18; Sophie Ecclestone 3-11, Alice Capsey 2-4, Sarah Glenn 2-10 Lauren Bell 2-20)

Player of the match – Alice Capsey (England Women)

1^st T20I – England win by 53 runs

3rd T20I – 19 May, Leeds