In her first over, left-arm spinner Chan Sau-ha grabbed two wickets in three balls. But it was too late for the Hong Kong women's team with Pakistan 'A' needing only one run to wrap up an easy eight-wicket victory at Kowloon Cricket Club yesterday in the first of three 50-over matches.
Chasing a meagre 81 runs, the visitors had reached 80 for no loss before Hong Kong belatedly turned to spin and the ball was thrown to Chan. She responded by dismissing Nazia Sadiq, who had led the chase with a well-compiled 34, and then skipper Marina Iqbal.
'It was an easy win,' said Iqbal, who at 21 is one of the oldest players in the squad. Most are in their teens, with the youngest only 14. They are the future of women's cricket in Pakistan, who are on a high after the senior team finished sixth at the Women's World Cup in Australia recently.
'Our aim is to push for a place in the senior team. Tours like these will help us become better players,' added Iqbal.
The match was all over before lunch. Hong Kong were put into bat and, despite a typically gritty 29 by skipper Neisha Pratt, were bowled out in the 30th over.
The team will have to improve, particularly their batting, if they are to claim a place at next year's Asian Games in Guangzhou.