ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – Deandra Dottin took centre stage for the first time on the tour as West Indies barely broke a sweat in disposing of Pakistan Women by eight wickets in the opening Twenty20 International of the three-match series here yesterday.
Opting to bowl first at the National Stadium, West Indies Women restricted the visitors to 74 for nine, with seamer Dottin taking two for ten from her two overs.
She then returned to stroke a fluent unbeaten 38 as the hosts cruised to their target with 22-balls remaining, to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
West Indies Women were slumping at 24 for two in the sixth over after losing openers Hayley Matthews (9) and Stafanie Taylor (8) cheaply but Dottin partnered with former skipper Merissa Aguilleira, 15 not out, in an unbroken 54-run third wicket stand, to pull the innings around.
Deandra Dottin drives powerfully through the off-side during her unbeaten 38 in the opening Twenty20 International against Pakistan Women here Thursday. (Photo courtesy WICB Media)
The right-handed Dottin was the dominant partner, facing 39 deliveries and stroking three fours and a six while Aguilleira consumed 28 balls without striking a boundary.
For Dottin, the knock was her first one of prominence on tour after getting a string of low scores during the preceding four-match One-Day International series, and it earned her the Player-of-the-Match award.
Earlier, she took key wickets and was supported by fast bowler Tremayne Smartt who finished with two for 13, as Pakistan Women never really got going.
Aliya Riaz, batting at number seven, top-scored with 16 and was only one of only three players to reach double figures.
Pakistan were off to a horrid start when the usually prolific Javeria Khan was run out in the second over for one and wickets continued to tumble to leave the visitors tottering on 24 for five in the ninth over.
West Indies Women were briefly held up by a 36-run, stand between Riaz and Nida Dar (13) but once the partnership was broken, the innings went into decline once again with Dottin helping to ensure a swift collapse.
The second T20I is scheduled for tomorrow at the same venue.
