Captain Rashada Williams delivered a Player-of-the-Match performance with a crucial half-century as West Indies Women ‘A’ secured a thrilling three-wicket victory over Pakistan Women ‘A’ with just one ball to spare.
This win allowed the West Indies to level the three-match, 50-over series in Muridke, Pakistan.
In pursuit of a target of 189 runs at the Lahore Country Club, the visitors managed to achieve their goal, largely thanks to the outstanding innings by Williams. The right-handed batter scored an impressive 71 runs from 94 deliveries. Opener Shabika Gajnabi provided valuable support with 25 runs from 38 balls, while Zaida James contributed 23 runs from 58 deliveries lower down the order.
Pakistan Women ‘A’ posts 188-9
Earlier in the match, Pakistan Women ‘A’ had posted a total of 188 for nine after being asked to bat. Sidra Nawaz was their top scorer, contributing exactly 50 runs from 85 balls with four boundaries. Openers Shawaal Zulfiqar (32) and Eyman Fatima (25) also made valuable contributions.
The West Indies Women ‘A’ bowlers were led by off-spinner Ashmini Munisar, who took three wickets for 21 runs, and left-armer Quiana Joseph, who claimed two wickets for 30 runs.
This victory was crucial for West Indies Women ‘A’ following their narrow eight-run defeat in the series opener last Tuesday. The series will conclude in Lahore on Sunday.
62-run opening partnership
Shawaal and Eyman gave Pakistan Women ‘A’ a strong start with a 62-run opening partnership, but Munisar and Joseph dismantled the top order, causing five wickets to fall for just 31 runs. Sidra Nawaz’s resilient half-century and partnerships with Noreen Yaqoob (19) and Rameen Shamim (10) lifted Pakistan to a competitive total.
In response, West Indies Women ‘A’ faced an early setback with the loss of Shunelle Sawh for just five runs. However, Captain Rashada Williams led her team’s recovery with crucial partnerships, adding 44 runs for the second wicket with Gajnabi and another 50 runs for the fifth wicket with James.
Williams’ dismissal in the 38th over left her team needing 43 runs to win, but number-eight Sheneta Grimmond’s 17 not out ensured victory for the visitors. Teenaged left-arm spinner Anosha Nasir was the standout bowler for Pakistan ‘A’, claiming three wickets for 36 runs.
