KARACHI: Karishma Ramharack struck a last-ball boundary to guide West Indies to a thrilling two-wicket victory against Pakistan women in the second ODI at National Bank Stadium here on Sunday.

Set to chase a modest 224-run total, the visitors had to make hard yards to amass the total despite Shemaine Campbelle and Stafanie Taylor’s half-centuries. The West Indies had a cautious start to the pursuit as their opener Rashada Williams fell in the 10th over after a scratchy seven-run knock, coming off 24 deliveries. Following the early hiccup, Campbelle joined forces with skipper Hayley Matthews and the duo put together an anchoring 39-run partnership before the latter perished in the 20th over.

Matthews scored 44 off 63 deliveries, hitting three boundaries. Coming out to bat at No.4, in-form Stafanie Taylor made sure that the West Indies did not lose momentum by knitting a sensible third-wicket partnership with Campbelle.

The pair added 88 runs for the third wicket until Campbelle fell victim to Umm-e-Hani in the 38th over. She scored 52 off 73 deliveries with the help of four boundaries. Taylor then put on brief partnerships with Chedean Nation (6) and Aaliyah Alleyne (23) before she finally perished in the 47th over with the West Indies still needing 18 runs off 23 deliveries.

Taylor remained the top-scorer for the West Indies with 90-ball 73 which featured nine boundaries. Her dismissal sparked a collapse and West Indies, consequently, slipped to 221/8, needing three off the final delivery. However, a thick edge from Ramharack’s bat off Fatima Sana dodged the wicketkeeper batter and sailed all the way towards the fence to script an enthralling victory for the West Indies. Skipper Nida Dar led the bowling attack for Pakistan with 4/52, followed by Umm-e-Hani, who bagged two wickets. Pakistan opted to bat first but lost Muneeba Ali in the second over with only 11 runs on the board. Bismah Maroof joined Sidra Ameen and together they knitted a partnership of 80 runs, with Ameen scoring her half-century. However, Afy Fletcher broke the partnership, sending Ameen back after she scored 50 off 70 with four boundaries.

Maroof remained unfazed on her end, while wickets kept falling on the other end. She was involved in a quick 31-run partnership with Najiha Alvi before perishing in the 42nd over with 196 runs on the board. Maroof top-scored for Pakistan with a cautious 65-run knock from 105 balls, which featured three boundaries. Meanwhile, Alvi showed some resistance with her 28-ball 25 before falling in the 49th over to wrap Pakistan’s innings at 223. For West Indies, Chinelle Henry and Karishma Ramharack bagged three wickets each.

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 22 2024

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