Muneeba Ali’s brilliant hundred guided Pakistan women to a commanding consolation victory over Ireland in the third and final T20 International on Sunday, preventing a series sweep. The left-handed opener’s unbeaten 100, coupled with a match-winning 101-run stand alongside Aliya Riaz, saw the visitors chase down Ireland’s 155-run target with 14 balls to spare at the Clontarf Cricket Club Ground in Dublin.
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Ireland had already secured the series with wins in the first two matches — an 11-run victory on Wednesday followed by a four-wicket triumph on Friday. But in the final clash, Pakistan came out determined to finish on a high.
Batting first, Ireland posted 155-4, powered by Orla Prendergast’s unbeaten 64 off 46 balls, her third strong performance of the series. Wicketkeeper Amy Hunter added 29, while captain Gaby Lewis chipped in with 36.
Muneeba, however, wasted no time in setting the tone for the chase, smashing three consecutive boundaries off Prendergast early in the innings. She continued her aggressive stroke play, bringing up her half-century off just 29 deliveries and clearing the ropes with one of the biggest sixes of the series over square-leg in the fifth over.
The southpaw reached her second career T20I hundred in 68 balls, sealing the win and the match award in style. Aliya Riaz provided strong support with an unbeaten knock, ensuring the Green Shirts crossed the finish line in the 18th over.
The result capped off a month of intensive preparation for Pakistan, including a 17-day skills camp and a five-day pre-tour camp in Karachi before arriving in Dublin on August 3. Ireland entered the contest in fine form after sweeping both T20I and ODI series against Zimbabwe last month.
Looking ahead, Pakistan will host South Africa for a three-match T20I series in Lahore from September 16 to 22 as part of their build-up to the ICC Women’s World Cup. While the tournament will be hosted by India from September 30 to November 2, Pakistan’s matches will be played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model due to political tensions.
The Green Shirts’ World Cup campaign will open with a high-profile clash against India on October 5, followed by matches against Australia (Oct 8), England (Oct 15), New Zealand (Oct 18), South Africa (Oct 21), and co-hosts Sri Lanka (Oct 24).
