Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: An unbeaten match-winning innings by Nain Abidi helped Pakistan women win their ICC Women’s World Cup warm-up match against West Indies by five wickets in Leicester on Tuesday. Asked to bat first, West Indies were able to score 246 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their allotted 50 overs as Pakistan skipper Sana Mir took two wickets for 46 runs in her 10 overs, while Asmavia Iqbal, Sadia Yousif and Kainat Imtiaz took a wicket each for 31, 44 and 51 runs respectively. Felicia Walters top scored for West Indies with a 93-ball 59, while Merissa Aquilleira contributed 43 off 50 balls to her team’s total. In reply, Pakistan reached their target in the 48th over for the loss of just five wickets, three of which — Nahida Khan (9), Ayesha Zafar (29) and Marina Iqbal (13) – they had lost quite early on, setting up for a nervy chase. Abidi and Bismah Maroof, however, stabilised the ship with a 141-run partnership, with the former scoring 81 off 86 balls laced with eight fours and the latter chipping with 75 off 80 balls. After Maroof got out, Pakistan were dealt another blow in the form of Asmavia, who was run out for just 11. But Abidi and Kainat Imtiaz (14) got the team over the line with 14 balls to spare. Shamilia Connell was the pick of the West Indies bowlers, taking two wickets for 39 runs. Pakistan eomen will next face Australia on Thursday before locking horns with South Africa at the weekend.

Published in Daily Times, June 22nd, 2017.