Pakistan stars revel in historic series victory

ICC, Dec. 5 - Pakistan women created history on Tuesday by recording a win in the second T20I against New Zealand to seal a rare away series win.

After winning the first T20I by seven wickets, another all-round performance in Dunedin saw Pakistan grab a 10-run win, defending 138, to take the series honours.

It was Pakistan women's first away series victory in women's T20Is in the last five years. Their last win away from home had come in Bangladesh in 2018.

Previously, Pakistan had won a bilateral women's T20I series outside Asia only against Ireland (in 2013). 

Speaking after the memorable victory, the trio of senior players Aliya Riaz, Nida Dar and Bismah Maroof shared their analysis of the impressive victory.

"Look, the way we have taken our team for so many years, we had a lot of desire to give good performances and defeat the big teams," all-rounder Dar said.

"The way our girls have gelled together, the way the girls' intent has changed, the way the girls have seen how cricket is going on in the world...and today we are getting the results and we are winning series against the big teams.

"First, we won against South Africa, now we have played against New Zealand. We have to go up now, we have to beat the big teams."

Dar was confident of the Pakistan team completing a series whitewash on Saturday with a win in the final T20I in Queensland. 

Maroof, on the other hand, spoke of the team's struggles and the impressive character shown by the team in this series.

"We have been struggling for a long time especially for results," Maroof said.

"We had a lot of expectations and pressure on us as a team. The way we showed character was very impressive. And this is a big moment for us as well as girls watching back home." 

Speaking of how the win is a landmark moment that young players in Pakistan would look up to, Maroof said that Pakistan will strive to catch up with the big teams by showing similar intent and character.

"The morale boost is for us and as a team, we want to carry it forward. And I think the youngsters are also following it.

"The way we show character and intent is very important. If we show the same intent, then we can come close to the big teams. We have shown that this series. We will try to continue the same."