• Sportzyverse
• Cricket news
• 05/18/2024
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Sophie Ecclestone etched her name into the record books, becoming England’s leading wicket-taker in T20 internationals as England secured a 65-run win over Pakistan in the second T20 at Northampton, taking an indisputable 2-0 lead in the series with one match left to play.

Ecclestone, achieving this feat in just 80 matches, surpassed Katherine Sciver-Brunt’s record of 114 wickets. She reached this milestone by dismissing Muneeba Ali with a caught-and-bowled in the sixth over, and then wrapped up the innings with two more wickets in the 16th over as England bowled out Pakistan for just 79.

https://x.com/englandcricket/status/1791881758562029957

“I actually had no idea – I’m really bad with numbers,” Ecclestone admitted about her achievement at just 25 years old. “To overtake Katherine is a bit surreal – she’s someone I looked up to when I was young and I got her autograph a couple of times – but I’m really proud.”

Danielle Gibson’s Final-Over Heroics Leads England to Series Victory Over Pakistan

England opted to bat first and set a total of 144 for six, bolstered by Danielle Gibson’s final-over heroics. Following up her unbeaten 41 from the previous match, Gibson smashed 18 not out from nine balls, including a massive six over long-on – the first six of the international summer.

Pakistan captain Nida Dar also reached a significant milestone, becoming the leading wicket-taker in women’s T20 internationals with 137 scalps, surpassing Australia’s Megan Schutt. Dar celebrated enthusiastically after stumping Amy Jones in the 20th over, but despite her efforts and those of Muneeba Ali and Aliya Riaz, who collectively hit six boundaries, Pakistan’s batting faltered. Alice Capsey’s part-time off-spin proved crucial, taking two wickets in the 13th over, leading to Pakistan losing their last five wickets for just eight runs.

Lauren Bell set the tone early for England, picking up two wickets in the third over. Capsey then contributed with her off-spin, and Pakistan’s batting lineup collapsed under pressure.

Earlier in the match, Nat Sciver-Brunt marked her return to the team with a quickfire 31. She revealed her absence from the first match was due to undergoing a procedure to freeze her eggs, in hopes of starting a family with her wife and former England player Katherine Sciver-Brunt after retirement.

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England’s innings saw a promising start with Maia Bouchier and Capsey building a 49-run partnership for the second wicket. Capsey provided a mix of fortune and skill, edging Waheeda Akhtar past the stumps and then hitting 20 runs in a single over. However, England’s momentum stalled briefly after the drinks break when Bouchier was run out by a brilliant diving stop from Diana Baig, and Capsey was dismissed soon after trying to go big against Dar.

Despite these setbacks, Gibson’s late blitz ensured England posted a competitive total, maintaining their grip on the match and the series. England’s dominant performance, both with bat and ball, secured a well-deserved series victory over Pakistan.