Pakistan opener Gull Feroza smashed a 95-ball century in the second ODI against Zimbabwe on May 6, continuing her turnaround in the format after a difficult start to her ODI career.
After winning the toss in Karachi, Pakistan opted to bat first, looking to seal the series after their 168-run victory in the opening ODI. The hosts made a commanding start through openers Sadaf Shamas and Feroza, who both scored their maiden ODI centuries while also adding 189 runs for the first wicket, the second-highest opening partnership for Pakistan in ODIs.
Feroza reached her maiden international hundred off 95 balls, striking 13 fours before being stumped off spinner Lindokuhle Mabhero. The stand laid the platform for Pakistan’s imposing total, with Sidra Amin adding an unbeaten 59 off 58 balls as the hosts finished on 343-4, their second-highest ODI total.
2nd ODI, Pakistan Women vs Zimbabwe Women
vs
- Ball by ball Over
Pakistan then bowled out Zimbabwe for 137 to register a mammoth 206-run win. This was their biggest win in terms of runs in ODI cricket.
Gull Feroza reverses ordinary ODI start
The innings marked a significant turnaround for Feroza, whose start to ODI cricket had been underwhelming. The 27-year-old, who made her T20I debut in 2022, had to wait nearly three years for her ODI debut, which finally came against Ireland in April this year.
Her first four ODI innings produced only 21 runs, with a highest score of 13. She crossed 15 for the first time in the opening ODI against Zimbabwe on May 4 to score her first fifty in the format, before converting that start into a maiden international century in the second match.
Feroza has also featured in 22 T20Is, including Pakistan’s campaign at the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup. She has scored 306 runs in the format at an average of 15.30 and a strike rate of 96.22, with her highest score being an unbeaten 62 off 55 balls against the UAE in 2024.
Image courtesy: PCB
Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.
