MURIDKE, Pakistan, CMC – West Indies A Women failed to overcome an unbeaten half-century from wicketkeeper-batsman Sidra Nawaz, and Pakistan A Women clinched a 12-run win in their Twenty20 Tri-Nations Series match yesterday.
The batting of the Caribbean side imploded on an easy-paced Lahore Country Club pitch, and they were bowled for exactly 100, replying to the Pakistanis’ total of 112 for five built upon 55 not out from Nawaz in the low-scoring opening match of the series that also features Thailand Women.
West Indies A Women off-spinner Sheneta Grimmond, opening the bowling, ended with two for 11 from her allotted four overs and triggered a Pakistan A Women top-order meltdown that had the hosts on the ropes on 23 for four in the eighth over.
The visitors then met resistance when Nawaz came to the crease and struck seven fours from 41 balls and shared 78 for the fifth wicket with Omaima Sohail that carried the Pakistanis past the 100 mark and beefed up the home team’s total.
Sohail made 26, but no other batsman in the Pakistan A Women’s line-up reached 20.
West Indies A Women endured an immediate setback when Qiana Joseph was caught at mid-off for a duck from an uppish drive at the first ball of the chase from pacer Humna Bilal, and they slid to 28 for two at the end of the Power Play after fellow opener Shabiki Gajnabi was caught in the covers off left-arm pacer Tasmia Rubab.
The Caribbean side continued to bleed wickets with their captain Rashada Williams getting the top score of 21, but no other batsman going past 20.
Bilal was most successful bowler for the hosts, taking three for 17 from three overs, and Sohail supported with two for 15 from three overs.
West Indies A Women play Thailand Women in the second match of the tournament today at the same venue.
