Hamilton: Pakistan clinched their first victory in the 2022 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, beating West Indies by eight wickets here at Seddon Park and registered their first points on the board. The match was reduced to 20-overs-a-side due to incessant rains in the morning. Chasing a target of 90, Muneeba Ali and Sidra Amin provided a solid platform for Pakistan. The latter got dismissed in the sixth over off Afy Fletcher on the score of 8. Muneeba then joined by skipper Bismah Maroof. They stitched a vital 35-run stand, keeping the required rate under control. Muneeba got a second chance, being dropped for 35, but could not make the most of her opportunity as she got perished on the very next delivery on 37, attempting a slog against Shakera Selman. Maroof and Omaima Sohail’s crucial 33-run stand sealed the deal for Pakistan. Earlier, the West Indies were restricted to 89 from 20 overs in a rain-shortened match. Spinner Nida Dar took the best figures for Pakistan in a World Cup with 4/10, helping end an 18-match losing streak in the tournament. It was a steady start for West Indies in the powerplay, with Deandra Dottin and Hayley Matthews helping their side to 19/0. Pakistan struke immediately with Matthews attempting a big shot against Fatima Sana and got dismissed cheaply for 1. Dottin could not convert her fine start to a big score, being caught and bowled by Nida for 27. Skipper Stafanie Taylor and Shemaine Campbelle tried to steady the ship for their side before the latter got stumped for 7. Pakistan kept chipping away with wickets at vital times, Omaima clean bowled Chedean Nation for a duck before Nida finished her record-breaking spell in style, dismissing Kycia Knight and Chinelle Henry in successive deliveries. Taylor was caught and bowled by Nashra Sundhu for 18 on the first ball in the 17th next over. Fall of wickets at regular intervals helped Pakistan restrict their opponents to an under-par score, though Fletcher chipped in with a handy seven-ball 12* at the end. UNI BAV SHK1710
