T20 World Cup: Pakistan outclass West Indies to start campaign with a bang

The 2016 champions were outplayed comprehensively in all departments

CANBERRA (Dunya News) – Pakistan claimed the scalp of West Indies as they outplayed the 2016 winners and began their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup campaign with an eight-wicket victory in Canberra.

The 2016 champions were outplayed comprehensively in all departments after being restricted to a below-par 124 for 7.

Pakistan s chase was led by the two senior pros, Javeria Khan (39) and skipper Bismah Maroof (35*), who both put on vital fifty partnerships to overhaul the target with 10 balls to spare.

Muneeba was dismissed for 25; her 26-ball innings included three fours. After Muneeba’s dismissal with the score at 77 for two in 11.5 overs, Nida Dar joined captain Bismah Maroof in the middle.

The two carried Pakistan home with an unbroken 50-run stand in only 39 balls. The seasoned Bismah remained unbeaten on 39 (37 balls, four fours). Nida gave her captain solid support at the other end as she also returned undefeated on a 20-ball 18 that included one four.

Earlier, batting first after winning the toss, West Indies were rocked on the very first ball of the innings as opener Hayley Matthews fell lbw to pacer Diana Baig. Diana then made the second breakthrough for Pakistan by dismissing Matthews’ fellow opener Lee-Ann Kirby (16) to reduce West Indies to 25 for two in 4.1 overs.

Stafanie Taylor backed her batting when she opted for her side to put runs on the board first but she didn t anticipate what would happen next. Fully convinced she wasn t out but only half sure about that DRS review, Hayley Matthews ran out of time to call for one and Pakistan had a breakthrough off the first ball of the match. The replays, however, confirmed what Matthews had doubted all long, the ball was pitching outside leg.

After looking good for three boundaries, Lee-Ann King mistimed a pull off Diana Baig and gave an easy catch to cover point fielder. Baig s double strikes in her three-over opening spell immediately transferred the pressure on West Indies and the otherwise free flowing Taylor inside powerplay itself. To make matters worse, the experienced Deadra Dottin top-edged one straight into the hands of long-off as West Indies slipped to 30 for 3 at the end of the seventh over.

Nerveless, in a nutshell but not without some generous reprieves from the West Indies fielders. The 124 Taylor and Campbelle had set up West Indies for weren t going to be enough; not without some early breakthroughs. But it wasn t meant to be. Pakistan had ample footage to take notes from on how to tackle chases.

Javeria and Muneeba Ali provided just the ideal start, racing their way to 57 in seven overs without being separated. The senior opener led the way, expertly manoeuvring the field in her stroke-filled 35 that contained half a dozen boundary hits. The young Muneeba also showed no nerves, trying to match Javeria shot for shot.