Daily Times

Pakistan women’s team defeated their West Indies counterparts by 12 runs in the third and final match of a three-match Twenty20 International series at Southend Club Cricket Stadium here on Sunday, preventing a whitewash by the visitors who won the series 2-0 with their victory on Friday. Sana Mir became the first Asian cricketer to appear in 100 women’s T20Is, and played her part with the ball with two strikes, but Nida Dar and Anam Amin cornered the limelight with sterling performances. At the outset of the match, Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first, setting the Windies a 151-run target for the loss of six wickets. Nida was the highest scorer for the green shirts with 53 runs on the scoreboard, followed by Umaima Sohail with 28 runs, and Aliya Riaz with 24 runs. As the Windies batswomen took to the pitch, Pakistan bowlers Anam and Sana decimated their batting lineup, with the former capturing four wickets, and the latter three. West Indies’ response began badly, Anam sending back Kycia Knight for a duck and Sana accounting for Shemaine Campbelle soon after. There was a fightback, led by Deandra Dottin, who scored 46 in 29 balls, but with wickets falling frequently enough, Pakistan were always in front.

This was Pakistan’s second victory over the ICC Women’s World T20 2016 champions in 12 matches. Pakistan’s only other win had come in Guyana in September 2011. Three T20I between the two sides have gone into Super Overs, with the West Indies emerging comfortable winners each time.

The performance in the T20I has provided great relief to coach Mark Coles, who has been working extremely hard since taking over last year. The three matches have shown the improvement Pakistan women’s team have made as there was mark improvement in all departments of the game. Merissa Aguilleira, Windies captain, speaking at the post-match press conference said: “Pakistan has been knocking on the door for a quite a while now, with every game they have showed they are really performing and improving, Pakistan team fielded really well in the match. The ODI series will begin in the UAE in few days’ time and our captain will be back, we know the momentum will be with Pakistan side going into the ODI series. It was a pleasing experience to come to Pakistan, and would encourage other teams to come to Pakistan.” The two teams now face off in three ODIs, to be played in Dubai, with the first scheduled for February 7.

Scores in brief:

Pakistan women beat West Indies by 12 runs, West Indies women won the series 2-1

Pakistan women 150-6, 20 overs (Nida Dar 53, Omaima Sohail 28, Aliya Riaz 24 not out; Karishma Ramharack 2-20) VS West Indies women 138-8, 20 overs (Deandra Dottin 46, Natasha McLean 26; Anam Amin 3-34, Sana Mir 2-21)

Series schedule

February 7 – 1st ODI, Dubai International Cricket Stadium (ICC Women’s Championship)

February 9 – 2nd ODI, ICC Academy, Dubai (ICC Women’s Championship)

February 11 – 3rd ODI, ICC Academy, Dubai (ICC Women’s Championship).

Published in Daily Times, February 4^th 2019.