PAARL: All-rounder Aliya Riaz’s fighting 29-run knock went in vain as Hayley Matthews-led West Indies edged Pakistan by a mere three runs in the low-scoring thriller in the ongoing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
Set to chase 117, Pakistan fell three runs short as the green shirts could amass 113/5 in the allotted overs despite Aliya’s fighting 29.
The green shirts were off to a dismal start to the run chase as the side lost both openers – Muneeba Ali and Sidra Ameen – for a mere 15 runs in the third over.
Following the slump, skipper Bismah Maroof and Nida Dar attempted to anchor the run chase with a crucial third-wicket partnership that saw the pair adding 44 runs.
The duo of Bismah and Dar, however, remained a touch too slow amid the crucial stand as they conceded 53 deliveries Afy Fletcher dismissed Dar, who could score 27 off 31 deliveries and hit a boundary.
Bismah then put on yet another crucial partnership for her side as she added 30 runs with Aliya before perishing in the 18th over after scoring 26 off 33 deliveries.
Skipper Bisma’s dismissal put Aliya under immense pressure, who had to bat with tailender Fatima Sana when the side needed 18 off the final over.
Aliya, however, kept Pakistan’s hopes alive with three boundaries in the over but her dismissal on the fifth delivery powered West Indies to run away with a narrow three-run triumph.
The right-handed batter top-scored for her side with 29 off 23 deliveries with the help of four boundaries.
West Indian skipper Matthews led the bowling attack of her side with 2/14 while Fletcher, Karishma Ramharack and Shamilia Connell struck out a batter each.
Opting to bat first, West Indies finished at 116/6 in 20 overs at the back of Rashada Williams’ 30.
The wicketkeeper batter remained the top-scorer for her side with 30 off 34 deliveries and smashed two boundaries.
Besides Williams, Shemaine Campbelle remained the other notable run-getter for her side with a 26-ball 22 while the rest of the West Indian batters failed to make a significant contribution.
Dar was the pick amongst the bowlers for Pakistan with two wickets, while Tuba Hassan, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal and Fatima could make one scalp each.
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