Ireland

Image source, Inpho

Ireland all-rounder Orla Prendergast has been named as the ICC Women's Player of the Month for August.

The 23-year-old receives the accolade after being chosen as Player of the Series in the home T20I series against Pakistan which her side won 2-1.

Prendergast compiled 144 runs and took four wickets in that series and continued her good form in the Women's T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier.

She made 244 runs at an average of 48.80 and a strike rate of 127.08 and took seven wickets.

Prendergast becomes the fifth Irish woman to receive the honour, with Eimear Richardson (August 2021), Laura Delany (October 2021), Arlene Kelly (August 2023) and Any Hunter (January 2024) also collecting the prize.

Ireland's Harry Tector won the men's award in May 2023.

"The T20I series win against Pakistan was the highlight of the summer. Additionally, we had a brilliant series T20I and ODI win against Zimbabwe and completed a clean sweep at the European T20 Qualifiers," said Prendergast.

"We'll be looking to build on these performances into our winter series and the Global T20 qualifiers in January.

"Personally, this award means a lot and further validates the decision I made five years ago to pursue cricket as a career.

"When I was growing up, that wasn't an option. But today, a young girl is able to see women's cricket being played live, on TV or online. Visibility is so important in growing interest and participation in the sport, and equally, awards like this one help to reinforce that growing status of the women's game globally."

Image source, Getty Images

Third Twenty20 international, Dublin

Ireland 155-4 (20 overs): Prendergast 64, Lewis 36; Shamim 1-18

Pakistan 156-2 (17.4 overs): Ali 100, Riaz 39; McBride 1-4

Pakistan win by eight wickets

Scorecard

Ireland failed in their quest to complete a T20 international series clean sweep against Pakistan as they lost the third and final match by eight wickets at the Clontarf Cricket Club in Dublin.

Lloyd Tennant's side won the first two games to clinch the series, but Muneeba Ali's unbeaten century helped Pakistan on their way to victory on Sunday.

Ireland won the toss and decided to bat first as Amy Hunter and Gaby Lewis put on a strong 52-run partnership from 37 deliveries.

After they were both dismissed, Orla Prendergast passed a half century as she registered 64 with Ireland setting a target of 155 for four.

Ireland then claimed two early wickets as Shawaal Zulfiqar and Natalia Pervaiz fell, but Ali came to the fore for Pakistan alongside Aliya Riaz as the visitors responded well.

Their partnership brought 101 runs from 70 balls with Ali finishing with a century from 68 deliveries as Pakistan claimed the win with 14 balls left.

Next up for Ireland are their T20 World Cup qualifiers later this month as they face Germany, Netherlands and Italy.

Image source, Getty Images

First Twenty20 International, Dublin

Ireland 118-4 (16.5 overs) Lewis 67, Chigora 2-18, Chipare 1-19

Zimbabwe 117-9 (20 overs) Mugeri-Tiripano 42, Murray 3-19, Kelly 2-10

Ireland win by six wickets

Ireland Women produced a strong display to beat Zimbabwe Women by six wickets in their opening Twenty20 International at Sydney Parade in Dublin.

Captain Gaby Lewis won the toss and opted to bowl first, with the hosts making a good start as Orla Prendergast claimed a wicket in the third ball of the innings.

Zimbabwe wickets continued to tumble as Cara Murray claimed three of them, Arlene Kelly two and debutant Lara McBride got one to get Llyod Tennant's side off to a flying start.

The tourists ended 117-9 which Ireland managed to chase down by the 17th over having lost just four wickets of their own in a fine batting display.

Lewis made 67, becoming the first woman to pass 4,000 runs across all formats for Ireland in the process.

Further history was made by 19-year-old Amy Hunter, whose nine runs helped her pass 1,000 in T20 internationals for her country.

Ireland will look to win the three-match series in the second T20 international which takes place on Tuesday.