KARACHI: West Indies Women eked out a thrilling one-run win over Pakistan Women after a hard-fought contest in the first T20I of the five-match series at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi on Friday night.
The visitors’ bowler Shamilia Connell defended 12 runs in the last over as Pakistan’s duo of Tuba Hassan (6, 6b) and Najiha Alvi (7 not out, 8b, 1×4) could only score 10 runs.
Najiha brought Pakistan within touching distance of the target with a magnificent four over cover on the penultimate ball but failed to put bat on ball on the last ball resulting in Tuba’s run-out.
Pakistan set out in pursuit of the 123-run target with Sidra Amin and Gull Feroza (13, 17b, 2x4s) putting on 37-run opening partnership with the former falling for 23 with the help of three fours.
Muneeba Ali and Ayesha Zafar contributed with 18 and seven respectively. Nida joined Muneeba in the middle and the pair put on a 22-run fourth wicket partnership which was cut short by Qiana Joseph.
The experienced duo of Nida and Aliya Riaz steadied Pakistan with a 28-run fifth wicket partnership but Aliya holed out to Cherry-Ann Fraser in the 18th over.
Karishma Ramharack then dismissed Fatima Sana and Nida in the same over to leave Pakistan reeling as they required 18 off the last two overs with three wickets in hand.
Najiha and Tuba’s eighth-wicket partnership of 16 off 12 balls wasn’t enough to take Pakistan over the line. Ramharack bagged four wickets for West Indies while Afy Fletcher, Hayley Matthews and Joseph picked up one each.
Earlier, West Indies skipper Matthews fell prey to Sadia Iqbal for a rare two-ball duck after opting to bat first. Diana Baig pinned Shemaine Campbelle for two leaving West Indies 14-2.
Stafanie Taylor and Joseph rescued West Indies from dire straits with a run a ball 55-run partnership for the third wicket. Chedean Nation, Chinelle Henry and Fletcher scored 13 runs each while Aaliyah Alleyne fell for a duck.
Fraser remained unbeaten for five with the help off a four while Ramharack chipped in with two runs as West Indies finished 122-9 in the allotted 20 overs.
Fatima Sana bagged three wickets while Sadia returned with two wickets. Diana, Nida and Tuba struck one each.
The two teams will take on each other at the same venue on Sunday in the second T20I of the series.
Scores in brief:
West Indies Women beat Pakistan Women by one run
West Indies Women 122-9, 20 overs (Qiana Joseph 34, Stafanie Taylor 30; Fatima Sana 3-24, Sadia Iqbal 2-23)
Pakistan Women 121-8, 20 overs (Nida Dar 27, Sidra Amin 23, Muneeba Ali 18; Karishma Ramharack 4-15, Hayley Matthews 1-16)
Player of the match – Karishma Ramharack (West Indies Women)
