Ayesha Zafar scored a record-breaking century to lead the Pakistan Women’s cricket team to a massive 153-run victory over Zimbabwe on May 12. The opening match of the three-game series took place at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi.
Pakistan chose to bat after winning the toss and set a record 237 for 5 in their 20 overs. The bowlers then bowled out Zimbabwe for just 84 runs in 18.2 overs. The victory is Pakistan’s biggest margin of victory in a T20 International and is an important preparation for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup.
Ayesha Zafar Hits Historic Century in Karachi
Ayesha Zafar was the star of the evening as she smashed her maiden T20I century. She entered the game at number three after Pakistan lost an early wicket with only 23 runs on the board. Consequently, she launched an immediate attack on the Zimbabwe bowlers. She scored her hundred off the last ball of the innings with a boundary towards mid-wicket.
She remained unbeaten with 102 runs off just 47 balls. She hit 15 fours and two sixes in her outstanding innings. She maintained a strike rate of 217.02 during her time at the crease. This performance earned her the Player of the Match award.
Breaking Individual Records for Pakistan
Ayesha Zafar’s innings did more than just win a game; it rewrote the record books for Pakistan Women’s cricket. First, she became only the second Pakistani woman to score a century in a T20 International. She joins Muneeba Ali, who is the only other player to achieve this feat for the national side.
Furthermore, her 102-run score is now the joint-highest individual total for a Pakistani batter in this format, tying the record held by Muneeba Ali. Most importantly, Zafar’s century is the fastest ever recorded for a Pakistani woman, taking only 47 balls. This broke the previous national record of 66 balls set by Muneeba Ali in 2023. On a global level, her 47-ball ton is now the joint third-fastest century in the history of Women’s T20 Internationals.
READ MORE: Records Tumble as Pakistan Dominate Zimbabwe Ahead of T20 World Cup
Bowling Attack Crushes Zimbabwe Hopes
Pakistan bowlers were ruthless while defending a target of 238. Zimbabwe never looked comfortable in the chase and struggled to keep pace with the required run rate of almost 12 runs per over. The visitors were bowled out for 84 runs.
This score of 84 is Zimbabwe’s third-lowest total ever in this format. Only three of their batters managed to reach double figures. Natasha Mtomba was their top scorer with 24 runs, while Adel Zimunu and Beloved Biza added 18 and 10 runs respectively. The rest of the batting lineup failed to resist the disciplined Pakistan attack.
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Preparing for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup
This dominant win is a perfect start for Pakistan as they prepare for the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. The tournament will begin next month in England and Wales. Pakistan is placed in Group 1, which is a very difficult group. They will compete against the likes of Australia, India, South Africa, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands.
Pakistan’s first match of the World Cup will be against India on June 14 at Edgbaston. So it will be a great confidence-booster for the side to find such good form in Karachi. Their power-hitting and bowling accuracy has improved, and they look set to take on the world’s finest teams.
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