• Pakistan edges New Zealand in a thrilling Hagley Oval super-over.
• Aliya Riaz shines with a bat in super-over.
• Bismah Maroof was named Player of the Match.

At Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Monday, the Pakistan women’s cricket team overcame New Zealand by three runs following a thrilling super-over match.

Thanks to Aliya Riaz’s heroics at bat, the Green Shirts set a 12-run mark in the super-over. They successfully defended the target, limiting the New Zealand batsmen to eight runs, while Sadia Iqbal made things difficult for them.

Nonetheless, New Zealand prevailed 2-1 in the three-match ODI series.

Pakistan was dealt two early blows as they lost the wickets of Muneeba Ali and Sidra Ameen for just 37 runs in 7.4 overs while chasing a 252-run goal.

The visitors were able to get back into the game with a 101-run partnership between Bismah Maroof and Aliya Riaz, even though it appeared like the Green Shirts would struggle and lose wickets.

After falling six runs short of a well-earned half-century, Riaz was taken out for 44 runs by Jess Kerr. Maroof, however, persisted in demonstrating her abilities, and the left-handed batter led her team in scoring with 68 runs and five boundaries. As a result, she was voted Player of the Match.

But it was Fatima Sana and Natalia Pervaiz who swiftly overturned the order that brought Pakistan this close to the objective. Natalia scored 26 off 23, and Sana scored 36 off 33.

With one wicket remaining, Pakistan required eight runs off six balls in the last over to prevent a rout, but Najiha Alvi’s crucial efforts at the final wicket kept the visitors in the match.

Amelia Kerr and Maddy Green, who batted first, put on a commanding show at the bat, helping New Zealand reach a competitive target of 252 runs.

Green hit an undefeated 65 runs off 69 deliveries, while Kerr scored 77 off 87 balls with 10 boundaries.

The other two top scorers in the match were Suzie Bates, 24, and skipper Sophie Devine, 29.

Prior to this series, Pakistan made history by being the first Asian team to defeat the New Zealand women’s team in a Twenty20 international series.

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