Skipper Hayley Matthews led from the front as West Indies edged out a three-run win over Pakistan in the Women's T20 World Cup group B clash at the Boland Park in Paarl on Sunday (February 19). While West Indies kept their semifinal hopes alive riding on this win, Pakistan are now on verge of elimination.
After posting a below par total 116/6 on the board, West Indies bowlers-led by Matthews stepped up and reduced Pakistan women to 113/5 to clinch the issue. Matthews remained the pick of the West Indies' bowler with an economical 2/14. Chasing a lowly target, Pakistan lost both openers, Muneeba Ali (5) and Sidra Ameen (8) cheaply. Captain Bismah Maroof scored 26 runs in 33 balls while Nida Dar scored 27 runs in 31 balls. Aliya Riaz scored 29 runs in 23 balls but a lower strike rate from other batters eventually left Pakistan shy of the target. For West Indies, Shamilia Connell, Karishma Ramharack and Afy Fletcher managed one wicket each for the winning cause.
Batting first, West Indies openers Hayley Matthews and Rashada Williams added 33 runs in 5.4 overs, the captain's dismissal in the last over of the powerplay turned the tide in Pakistan's favour. Shemaine Campbelle (22) then added 40 runs with Rashada before the latter was dismissed in the 13th over for 30 runs, and remained the top scorer. For Pakistan, Nida Dar bowled excellently, conceding only 13 runs in her four overs for two wickets. Sadia Iqbal, Fatima Sana, Nashra Sandhu and Tuba Hassan managed one wicket each.
Talking about the points table after the match, Pakistan have two points after playing as many games in the tournament while West Indies have equal number of points but they have played one game more. Pakistan's net run rate is +1.542, while that of Windies is -0.913.
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