Fatima’s five-fer ends Pakistan tour of WI with win

LAHORE: An all-round performance from 19-year-old Fatima Sana helped Pakistan national women’s team record their second consecutive win as they defeated the hosts by 22 runs (DLS method) in the fifth and final One-Day International at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium here on Sunday.

With the West Indies Women winning the first three matches, the Stafanie Taylor-led side won the series 3-2. Chasing 194 for win, West Indies were bowled out for 171 on the last ball of the match. Fatima, a right-arm fast bowler, took five for 39 in seven overs which earned her second consecutive player of the match award. She accounted for well settled Deandra Dottin (37 off 47) and Britney Cooper (40 off 53) in her first spell, before getting Rashada Williams, Chinelle Henry and Anisa Mohammed.

Fatima, who is the recipient of the PCB Women’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year 2020 award, took 11 wickets in the series. Her five-wicket haul was the best figures for Pakistan’s bowler in ODI in almost eight years.

Earlier, a sparkling 19-ball 28 not out by Fatima helped Pakistan post 190 for eight in 34 overs after West Indies captain Taylor elected to bowl. The target was revised to 194 as Pakistan lost two overs between their innings due to a rain-interruption as the match was curtailed to 36 overs per innings as the start of the match was delayed by two hours and 40 minutes because of early morning showers.

Fatima smashed four fours that helped Pakistan plunder 40 off the last five overs. From the 30th over onwards, Fatima smashed a boundary every over and finished the proceeding with a crunching boundary.

Wicketkeeper-batter Muneeba Ali scored 39 off 59 at the top of the order, hitting five fours, as she stitched a 41-run opening stand with Sidra Amin (13 off 35). Chinelle Henry and Anisa Mohammed got two wickets each.