Milestone ton helps Pakistan to a record win ahead of T20WC

Pakistan notched their highest Women’s T20I total as top-order batter Ayesha Zafar seized her maiden T20I century in Karachi.

Zafar put on a run-scoring masterclass in the first T20I against Zimbabwe, scoring her ton off just 47 deliveries, which is the joint third-fastest in Women's T20I history. Her innings included a stellar 15 fours and two maximums.

The 31-year-old became only the second player for Pakistan women to reach triple figures in a T20I after Muneeba Ali, who has two centuries to her name in the format. 

As a result of her blitz, Pakistan scored 237/5 off their 20 overs. It surpassed their previous best of 181/4 against South Africa in 2024, making it a first instance of the team getting past the 200-run mark.

Defending a mammoth total, the hosts put in a clinical effort with the ball, led by skipper Fatima Sana, who was the pick of the bowlers. 

Sana snapped up three wickets in as many overs, conceding a mere seven runs as Pakistan bowlers didn’t allow Zimbabwe's batters to mount a challenge. 

The visitors were bundled out for 84 as Pakistan took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series with a 153-run triumph - their biggest win by margin of runs in the format.

The victory sets the tone for the Fatima Sana-led side ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, beginning next month in England and Wales. 

Pakistan are slotted alongside six-time winners Australia, India, South Africa, Bangladesh and the Netherlands in Group 1. 

They will kickstart their tournament on June 14 against arch-rivals India at Edgbaston.

Series schedule:

First T20I: May 12 (Pakistan won by 153 runs)

Second T20I: May 14

Third T20I: May 15