England women beat Pakistan in ODI series opener

England Women secured a 37-run victory over Pakistan Women in the first ODI at Derby on Thursday.

Chasing a target of 244 runs, Pakistan's Muneeba Ali, batting at number three, emerged as the top scorer with 34 runs off 60 balls. Muneeba had a 30-run partnership for the second wicket with Sadaf Shamas, who scored 28 runs off 48 balls, including three boundaries.

Nida Dar (26 off 38 balls, with three boundaries) and Aliya Riaz (21 off 32 balls, with three boundaries) guided Pakistan from 117-4 to 149-4 by the 34th over, leaving them needing 95 runs off 96 balls with six wickets in hand. However, the game shifted in England’s favor when Nida, Fatima Sana, and Aliya were dismissed in the 35th, 36th, and 37th overs, respectively.

Najiha Alvi remained not out with 26 runs off 57 balls, but Pakistan ultimately fell short by 37 runs. England’s spinners Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean took three and two wickets, respectively, while pacers Lauren Bell and Kate Cross each claimed two wickets.

Earlier, after Pakistan chose to bowl, England’s openers Tammy Beaumont (33 runs off 40 balls, with five boundaries) and Maia Bouchier (17 runs off 24 balls, with two boundaries) put together a 45-run partnership before Nashra Sandhu dismissed Bouchier. Skipper Heather Knight scored 29 runs off 49 balls before being stumped by Najiha Alvi off Aliya Riaz's bowling. Nat Sciver-Brunt contributed 31 runs off 34 balls, hitting four boundaries, before departing with England at 118-4.

A crucial fifth-wicket partnership between Alice Capsey (44 runs off 65 balls, with three boundaries) and Amy Jones (37 runs off 38 balls, with three boundaries), adding 67 runs off 75 balls, stabilized the innings. After Capsey's dismissal in the 44th over at 216-6, Sarah Glenn's unbeaten 16 runs off 13 balls helped England reach 243-9 in their 50 overs. For Pakistan, captain Nida Dar took three wickets, while Aliya Riaz, Nashra Sandhu, and Umm-e-Hani each claimed two wickets.

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)