West Indies women down Pakistan in first T20I

West Indies women’s cricket team Friday defeated Pakistan by one run in the first match of the five-match T20I series at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The match went to the last ball when the home side required two runs on one ball but Tuba Hassan, who was on the non-striker's end, was run out before she could reach the crease and the visitors emerged victorious.

Chasing the 123-run target, despite a positive start, the Green Shirts met with blows in quick succession as Sidra Ameen (23 off 17) and Gull Feroza (13 off 17) walked back to the pavilion in the sixth and seventh over respectively.

Pakistan lost two more wickets in the next six overs but skipper Nida Dar stayed on the pitch and continued to score. She was supported greatly by Aliya Riaz, who has been performing in the shorter format for some time, but both departed for the pavilion soon.

Dar top-scored for the losing side with 27 runs while Aliya only scored 12 runs on 15 balls.

West Indies’ Karishma Ramharack caused all kinds of trouble for the hosts as she bagged 4/15 in four overs and was her side’s biggest weapon with the ball.

Earlier in the first innings, Pakistan had the upper hand at the start of the match as West Indies’ skipper Hayley Matthews and wicketkeeper batter Shemaine Campbelle lost their wickets in the first four overs.

However, Qiana Joseph and Stefaine Taylor brought their side back into the game by scoring 34 and 30 runs respectively.

Meanwhile, Chedean Nation (13), Chinelle Henry (13) and Afy Fletcher (13) also contributed valuable runs down the order and helped their side conclude their innings on 122/9 in 20 overs.

For Pakistan, Fatima Sana picked three wickets, Sadia Iqbal bagged two while Dar, Diana Baig and Tuba Hassan managed to get one each.

The series is being broadcast live on Pakistan’s first sports channel Geo Super.