Pak women shock WI to annex ODI series

LAHORE: Nashra Sandhu and Diana Baig equally shared six wickets between them while Sidra Ameen struck a half-century to propel a four- wicket win for Pakistan women over the West Indies women in the third and final ODI at the ICC Academy in Dubai to take the series 2-1.

According to information available here the victory in the fourth round fixture of the ICC Women’s Championship has helped Pakistan women move ahead of the West Indies and England, and join India on 12 points.

However, Pakistan are placed behind India in fourth position on net-run-rate. Australia leads the table, while New Zealand are second. Nashra claimed three for 21 and Diana bagged three for 42 as the West Indies, electing to bat first, were skittled out for 159 in 47.3 overs. Sidra then led the run-chase with a gutsy 52 as Pakistan romped home with 16 balls and four wickets to spare.

This was Pakistan’s first series victory over the West Indies in 16 years and only their seventh ODI win in 26 matches. Overall, it was Pakistan’s 46th ODI win in 158 matches.

The series win was more special as Pakistan had come from behind. They were routed by 146 runs in the first match, before leveling the series with a 34-run victory. Sidra (96), Nida (81) and Diana (four for 34) had starred in the series leveling win on Friday.

On Monday, and after Diana Baig dismissed Kycia Knight in the first over of the match, West Indies recovered to 87 for two before being bundled out for 159 by losing their last seven wickets for 72 runs.

Sandhu started the collapse when she dismissed Shemaine Campbell (26) to end the 52-run third wicket stand with Stafanie Taylor. Sandhu added the wicket of Natasha McLean, but when Taylor (52, 94b, 5x4) became Diana’s second scalp, the West Indies looked down and out at 131 for seven.

However, Afy Fletcher (21) offered some resistance and added 28 runs with the last three batters.Sidra Ameen led Pakistan’s run-chase when she scored 52 off 107 balls with five fours and put on three small but important partnerships. Sidra added 32 for the first wicket with Nahida Khan (15), 44 for the second wicket with Javeria Khan

(24) and 46 for the fourth wicket with Nida Dar (26). West Indies’ Shakera Selman finished with two for 24, while Taylor followed up her half-century with two for 17.

Scores in brief: Windies women 159 all out, 47.3 overs (Stafanie Taylor 52, Deandra Dottin 28, Shemaine Campbell 26, Afy Fletcher 21, Nashra Sandhu 3-21, Diana Baig 3-42)

Pakistan women 163-6, 47.2 overs (Sidra Ameen 52, Nida Dar 26, Javeria Khan 24, Stafanie Taylor 2-17, Shakera Selman 2-24).