PAK v WI Women's World T20 Review: West Indies edge past Pakistan in a thriller

West Indies Women survive from a scare of losing to Pakistan in their opening match in the Group B fixture of WT20 as they edged out with a 4-run win at the MA Chidambaran Stadium, Chennai. Pakistan Women will now face hosts India on Saturday at Kolkata while West Indies will take on Bangladesh Women at the Chennai itself on Sunday.

After been put into bat, West Indies got off to a decent start before Hayley Matthews was dismissed by Anam Amin in 6th over after an opening stand of 28 runs. Shaquana Quintyne got run out in the same over without scoring. In her 1st over, Sadia Yousuf got rid of the dangerous Deandra Dottin for a duck. Another opener Stafaine Taylor kept scoring despite wicket fell on other end.

Along with Keeper Merissa Aguilleira she shared a stand of 35 runs in 7 overs for the 4th wicket before Anam Amin struck again. Taylor scored 40 off 48 balls with 5 fours before Amin cleaned up the set player. Aguilleira scored 15 before getting out to Sadia while Stacy-Ann King and Shemaine Campbelle scored useful 12 and 15 respectively towards the end.

Anam Amin picked up 4 wickets as she got Campbelle and Connell in last over of West Indies innings to restrict them to 103/8 in 20 overs.

Pakistan Women had a scary start to their innings as Javeria Khan was struck on ear due to a bouncer from Shamilia Connell and was taken off the field on stretcher. However, the new batswomen Bismah Maroof and Sidra Ameen added 39 runs in 8.2 overs before Anisa Mohammed sent back Sidra for 20. In her next over, Anisa got another set player. Bismah was stumped after scoring 22. Later Muneeba Ali got out for 15 trying to bring down the required run rate.

Pakistan Women needed 23 runs in last 2 overs and Asmavia Iqbal hit first ball of penultimate over for a six. 11 runs came from the over as Deandra Dottin was given responsibility to defend 12 runs in last over. She gave 5 runs in first 3 balls which includes a 3 on first ball of the over. With 7 needing from 3, Pakistan captain Sana Mir tried for a big shot and got out. Last 2 balls yielded just 2 singles as they fell 5 runs short of target.

Brief Scores:

West Indies Women: 103/8 in 20 overs (Stafanie Taylor 40; Anam Amin 4/16)

Pakistan Women: 99/5 in 20 overs (Bismah Maroof 22; Anisa Mohammad 3/25)

Player of the Match: Anam Amin (Pakistan Women)