Windies women thrash Pakistan by 146 runs

DUBAI (PPI): West Indies won the first-ever Women’s One Day International to be played at the Dubai International Stadium to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series against Pakistan.

Deandra Dottin and Afy Fletcher were the star performers with the ball as Pakistan were rolled over for 70 runs in reply to West Indies 216-5 in the allotted 50 overs. Player of the Match Dottin and Fletcher took three wickets each to restrict Pakistan batters in their pursuit of the target.

Pakistan was led by Javeria Khan as regular captain Bismah Maroof was rested for the ODI series opener. Javeria scored 21 while Nahida Khan top-scored for the hosts with a 23-run contribution. Nahida was hit on the visor of her helmet and retired hurt. Aimen Anwer who hurt her hamstring during the West Indies batting did not turn up to bat. Pakistan’s innings ended in the 30th over with the hosts 146-run behind the West Indies total.

Earlier, the West Indies total was built around a 143-run stand for the second wicket between captain Stafanie Taylor and Dottin. Taylor, who won the toss and opted to bat, joined Dottin after the loss of opener Kycia Knight for a duck in the sixth over. Taylor fell to Kainat Imtiaz after scoring 58 off 97 balls. Her innings included four fours. Dottin missed out on her hundred by a mere four runs. The T20I Player of the Series continued her prolific batting form before she was also dismissed by Kainat for a 139-ball 96 that included eight fours and two sixes.

After the departure of Dottin and Taylor, Shermaine Campelle (26 not out) and Chinelle Henry (18 not out) took the score past the 200-run mark. Kainat was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers – the right-armer took three wickets conceding 49 runs in her nine over spell. Javeria meanwhile was disappointed at her team’s loss. “We started off very well but failed to sustain the momentum with the ball as well as in our batting effort. Losing Nahida was unfortunate for us and had a major impact in our chase.”

Dottin expressed her delight at her match winning contribution for her team. “It was a good game for me and yes there are days when I feel I can do anything on the field, batting with Stafanie was all about occupying the crease and we succeeded in building a good total with that partnership.”