All-round Pakistan clinch series, surge up ICC Women’s Championship table

Dubai [UAE], Feb 11 (ANI): Sidra Ameen’s 52 and three-wicket hauls from Diana Baig and Nashra Sandhu set Pakistan up with a four-wicket win over West Indies in a cliff hanger finish to the third ODI match at the ICC Academy, handing Pakistan a 2-1 series victory on Monday.
With chasing down the target of 160 in 47.2 overs, Pakistan have moved into the top four of the ICC Women’s Championship table, pushing West Indies and England down a place to fifth and sixth position respectively.
As West Indies opted to bat, their opener Kycia Knight was dismissed for a duck in the very first over by pacer Baig. Their captain Stafanie Taylor and Deandra Dottin injected some momentum by putting on a 34-run partnership before the latter’s run-out for 28.
Taylor continued with support from Shemaine Campbelle and the duo put up a crucial 52 by the end of 12 overs.
However, the match turned its table when Campbelle was stumped off for 26, which opened the remaining batting line-up. Chedean Nation (3), Natasha McLean (2) and Chinelle Henry (6) returned in quick succession before Baig dismissed Taylor for 52.
With little support from the lower-order, West Indies folded for 159 in 47.3 overs.
During their run-chase, Pakistan’s Ameen and Nahida Khan added 32 runs for the opening wicket. After Nahida’s departure for 15 off Shakera Selman, Javeria Khan came out to share the onus with Ameen.
The pair added 44 for the second wicket before the dismissal of Javeria for 49. However, Ameen once again found support in Nida Dar after the departure of skipper Bismah Maroof for five.
Ameen (52) and Dar (26) stitched a partnership of 46, which took Pakistan to within 32 of victory. The duo were dismissed in quick succession but with Kainat Imtiaz and Sana Mir, both remained unbeaten on 12 each, in the middle, Pakistan ended with 163 for the loss of six wickets and sealed their victory in the three-match series 2-1 against West Indies. (ANI)