Pakistan women’s team clinch historic series win

Pakistan women’s team won the third and final ODI of the series against West Indies and clinched a historic series win. Diana Baig and Nashra Sandhu build the basis of the victory by restricting the West Indians, and Sidra Ameen helped finish the job with a fifty.

Pakistan have now gone above West Indies in the ICC Women’s Championship table to 4^th. They have 12 points, joint with India. West Indies are on 11 points.

In the decider, Pakistan bowlers kept a tight grip on the runs as West Indies just managed 159 runs. Opener Kycia Knight went early for a duck. Deandra Dottin continued her good form scoring 28 of 20. Captain Stafanie Taylor was the cornerstone of the innings, top scoring with 59. Along with Shemaine Campbelle she knitted a 52 run partnership, taking the team to 87-2. However, once Campbelle was picked up by Nashra Sandhu, the rest of the batting line up crumbled as they lost the last 8 wickets for 72 runs.

Nashra Sandhu was misery giving away just 21 runs in 10 overs and picked up 3 wickets. Diana Baig hurt West Indies early and at the back end of the innings, getting rid of 3 West Indian batswomen.  Other bowlers also supported the duo by keeping this tight at the other end.

Sidra Ameen and Nahida Khan gave Pakistan a steady start of 32. After Khan fell for 15, Sidra joined hands with Javeria Khan and then Nida Dar to take Pakistan within range of the target. Sidra top scored with 52. Pakistan lost 3 quick wickets however experienced Sana Mir along with Kainat Imitiaz steered Pakistan home with 4 wickets in hand. For West Indies Shakera Selman and Taylor got a brace each. However, Pakistan rarely looked under pressure considering the low total.

This historic win comes a as boost for the women’s game in the country and would help in increasing interest in the game.