Lahore, Apr 15 (UNI) Pakistan claimed a clinical win over the West Indies at the Gaddafi Stadium here to mark their third successive victory at the Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifier.
With both teams coming into the contest on the back of wins, the hosts put on a comprehensive display to come one step closer to a World Cup spot.
Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana won the toss and elected to bat first. Despite losing opener Gull Feroza early, the hosts got off to a steady start.
Muneeba Ali and Sidra Amin built a valuable 47-run partnership, providing some early stability to the innings. However, the stand was broken by Afy Fletcher, who wrapped Muneeba Ali in front of the wickets in the 17th over.
Aliya Riaz then joined Sidra Amin in the middle, and the latter continued her fine form to bring up a brilliant half-century, an ICC report said.
After Riaz was run out, Omaima Sohail came into the mix with another vital partnership alongside Sidra. But the momentum began to shift when Sohail was caught by West Indies skipper Hayley Matthews off Fletcher in the 37th over.
From there, Pakistan’s innings started to unravel. The West Indies bowlers struck in quick succession, preventing any further partnerships from developing. As a result, Pakistan
collapsed from a strong position at 132/4 after 37 overs to being bowled out for 191.
Hayley Matthews was the standout bowler with impressive figures of 2/30, while Karishma Ramharack (2/55) and Afy Fletcher (2/39) also chipped in with a brace each.
Defending the total, Pakistan got off to a perfect start as captain Fatima Sana struck on the first
ball of the innings, trapping Hayley Matthews LBW for a crucial breakthrough.
West Indies found themselves in the deeper end soon after, with Zaida James and Shemaine Campbelle both being run out, leaving the side teetering at 29/3. Nashra Sandhu intensified the pressure by dismissing both Jannillea Glasgow with an jaffa and inducing a Chinelle Henry
caught behind in the same over, reducing West Indies to 54/5 in the 12th over.
Shabika Gajnabi and Stafanie Taylor attempted to revive the innings with a steady partnership
of 33, but Taylor was soon caught out by Muneeba Ali off Rameen Shamim.
Pakistan bowlers kept enforcing the pressure - skipper Fatima leading the charge, with bowling figures of 3/16 - as West Indies bundled out for 126.
The win - Pakistan's third from as may games at the Qualifier - takes the hosts to the top of the standings with two games left in their campaign.
UNI BM