KARACHI: Heather Knight marked her elevation to England captaincy in style as she produced a grand all-round performance while steering the hosts to a seven-wicket victory in the first One-day International against Pakistan at Grace Road in Leicester on Tuesday.
After the start of the three-match one-day series between the women outfits of two countries saw no play on Monday due to heavy rain, England wasted little time in stamping their dominance in the first international since long-serving skipper Charlotte Edwards retired.
Knight opted to field after winning the toss. Her decision paid off as Pakistan were all out for 165 in 45.4 overs with opener Sidra Ameen top-scoring with a 79-ball 52 (eight boundaries) before she was fifth out at 106 in the 32nd over.
Asmavia Iqbal scored 22 but no one else managed to reach even 20. Knight grabbed career-best figures five for 26 in 8.4 overs with her off-spinners, while seamer Katherine Brunt took 2-24.
England duly got to their target in 31.5 overs as opener Tammy Beaumont hit her maiden ODI half-century as she and Knight shared a third-wicket partnership of 96.
Beaumont fell to Asmavia after making 70 from 75 balls with 11 boundaries. Knight remained unbeaten on 50 with her 70-ball containing five fours.
The second one-dayer takes place on Wednesday at the County Ground in Worcester.
Summarised scores:
Pakistan 165 in 45.4 overs (Sidra Ameen 52, Asmavia Iqbal 22, Nida Dar 18; H.C. Knight 5-26, K.H. Brunt 2-24)
England 166-3 in 31.5 overs (T.T. Beaumont 70, H.C. Knight 50 not out, N.R, Sciver 27 not out; Asmavia Iqbal 2-49)
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