Leg-spinner Alana King stars for Australia in abandoned game against Pakistan

An Alana King-inspired Australia seemed set for victory over Pakistan – until the rain came.

Alana King is congratulated by wicket-keeper Alyssa Healy after taking a Pakistan wicket. Picture: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images

Rain ended Australia’s hopes of beating Pakistan in the opening match of the T20 international women’s tri-series in Ireland but not before leg-spinner Alana King took three wickets in four balls.

Only eight overs of play were possible in Derry, where the Australians were on track to dismiss Pakistan – who were 6-56 when the game was abandoned – cheaply.

King did most of the damage, claiming the wickets of Kainat Imtiaz (0), Ayesha Naseem (0) and Aliya Riaz (0) – all via LBW decisions – in her only over of the match.

Alana King took three wickets in her only over against Pakistan. Picture: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

“I’m happy to have the ball in my hand in any situation to be honest so it was good to roll a few out,” said 26-year-old King, who finished with the bowling figures of 3-8 from her sole over.

“We figured out that anything full was easy to play so we just needed to bring our length back a little bit and make sure that we bring the stumps into play.

“It was a tricky wicket that was sliding on sometimes, then some were gripping, so we knew if we hit our lengths early we’d be right in the contest.”

Pakistan had won the toss, but after a 29-run opening partnership, which was aided by some wayward bowling, the Australians – whose side didn’t include star all-rounder Ellyse Perry because of a back injury that would have prevented her bowling – took control.

All-rounder Ashleigh Gardner (2-11) and Megan Schutt (1-6) also took wickets for the Australians, who return to action in Derry – weather permitting – in the early hours of Monday morning against Ireland.

Originally published as Leg-spinner Alana King stars for Australia in abandoned game against Pakistan