Pakistan Beat Odisha XI By 95 Runs

Pakistan Beat Odisha XI By 95 Runs

Pakistan started their World Cup preparations with a big win over an Odisha XI

©REUTERS / Action Images

Pakistan Women 240 (Bismah Maroof 76) beat
Odisha XI 145-8 (Behera 53) by 95 runs
Women's World Cup warm-up, Cuttack

Pakistan Women got onto the field and let their cricket do the talking during a 95-run win over an Odisha XI in their first World Cup warm-up game in Cuttack.

With their presence in Mumbai forcing organisers to shift their matches to Cuttack, this win, set up by twin half-centuries from Bismah Maroof and Nain Abidi will be a huge boost for the World Cup outsiders.

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Maroof made 76 in 92 balls and Abidi 73 in 94 after both openers, Sana Mir and Nahida Khan, had fallen for two to leave the Pakistanis seven for two.

Maroof and Abidi put on 148 for the third wicket and through runs from Javeria Khan (33) and Qanita Jalil (25) further down the order, they were bowled out for 240 in 48.4 overs, Sujati Malik and Gangotra Behera taking three wickets.

The Odisha XI battled hard in reply but aside from 53 in 111 balls from opener Madhusmita Behera and 31 from Gangotra, they were outclassed by the Pakistan bowlers and closed on 145 for eight.

Asmavia Iqbal picked up three for 20 in her 10 overs with Sadia Yousuf and Mir taking two wickets apiece.

Pakistan are scheduled to take on a Mumbai Combined XI in their second warm-up game tomorrow (30th January) before they play Australia in their first game of the tournament on Friday (1st February).

© Cricket World 2013