Records tumble as Sidra Ameen and Muneeba Ali thrash Ireland in ODI series opener in Lahore

Pakistan's opener Sidra Ameen broke batting records for fun as Pakistan thrashed Ireland by 128 runs in the first ODI at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Friday, November 4. In the latest cycle of the ICC Women's Championship, Pakistan have relished three wins in their four games projecting dominating performances game after game.

On Friday against Ireland, the Women in Green opted to bat first and put up an explosive show against the Irish bowling attack. Muneeba Ali and Sidra Ameen, the Pakistan openers made their mark and etched their names in the history books as both registered centuries in their outing against the Irish women.

Records tumble as Sidra and Muneeba hammer Ireland

Muneeba scored 107 off 114 balls, whereas Sidra Ameen played a sublime innings as she racked up 176 runs off just 151 balls at a strike rate of 116.55. The innings by Sidra turned out to be the highest individual score by a Pakistan batter in ODIs. Furthermore, her 221-stand with fellow centurion Muneeba also broke the record for the highest partnership for Pakistan in the 50-overs format.

Sidra Ameen’s 176* runs made her the fifth-highest individual scorer in the One-Day format after Amelia Kerr (232*), Belinda Clark (229*), Deepti Sharma (188) and Chamari Athapaththu (178*).

The centuries by the two guided the side to a mammoth total of 335 for 3 in their stipulated 50 overs. Interestingly, this was a record in itself as the national team had for the first time reached a total in excess of 300.

In response to the massive total set by the Women in Green, skipper of the Irish side, Laura Delany managed a half-century with no help coming from the other end and the pressure kept mounting on the visitors. Pakistan eventually claimed victory as they won by 128 runs and took a lead 1-0 in the three-match ODI series.