The West Indies Women started their tour of Pakistan today with a victory over the Pakistan Women by 45 runs in the first of three One-Day International matches.
After Pakistan put the visitors to bat, the West Indies amassed 253/8 led by a brilliant century from the dominant Deandra Dottin and a sparkling all-round performance from senior player Hayley Matthews.
Dottin, who scored her 2nd ODI century, blasted 18 fours and 2 sixes and also put on a partnership of over a hundred runs with Matthews, with the latter scoring a fluent 57 runs – her 5th ODI half-century.
Shemaine Campbelle provided good support with a brisk 23 runs on her return to the team after injury. Slow left-arm bowler Anam Amin was the most successful of the Pakistan bowlers as she picked up her maiden five-wicket haul. She claimed 5 for 35, which included the prized wickets of Dottin, Matthews, and Campbelle.
The reply of the Pakistan Women was hampered early as right-arm medium bowler Shakera Selman picked up two quick wickets inside the first ten overs for the West Indies. However, a partnership of just over a half-century between Iram Javed and Kainat Imtiaz looked threatening before the off-break of Matthews made the breakthrough, dismissing Javed. Matthews would eventually end with figures of 3 for 31 from her allotted 10 overs.
The West Indies would then pick up wickets at regular intervals including two runouts ensuring Pakistan would only reach 208 for 9 wickets in their 50 overs.
The series held in Karachi marked the return of international women’s cricket to the National Stadium nearly 16 years after Pakistan last played at the venue in 2006.
The West Indies will be eager to secure a series victory and boost their confidence ahead of the ICC World Cup qualifiers later this month, when the teams meet again in the second match on November 11 at the same venue.
MATCH SUMMARY
WI-W 253-8 (50 0vers)
Deandra Dottin 132
Hayley Matthews 57
Shemaine Campbelle 23
Anam Amin 5/35
Fatima Sana 2/65
PAK-W 208-9 (50 overs)
Aliya Riaz 46
Iram Javed 40
Muneeba Ali 28
Hayley Matthews 3/31
Shakera Selman 2/35
