WI women wrap up T20 series against Pakistan

KARACHI: Skipper Stefanie Taylor and Deandra Dottin inspired West Indies women to Twenty20 International series victory over Pakistan as the visitors lost the second match in Grenada by seven wickets on Saturday to 2-0 down in the three-match.

After being sent into bat at the National Cricket Stadium in St George’s, Pakistan were restricted to 95-7 in the allotted overs. Nain Abidi, who opened the innings, scored 35 from 45 balls with one four.

The left-handed Bismah Maroof contributed a 31-ball 25 while dominating a third-wicket partnership of 44 with Nain.

Dottin claimed three wickets for 20 runs in four overs.

The home team comfortably got the required runs with 14 balls to spare. Taylor, named player-of-the-match, led the way by scoring an undefeated 48 off 43 deliveries with the aid of two fours and one six.

Nida Dar was Pakistan’s most successful bowler with two for 12 in four overs. The final game was being played on Sunday at the same venue.

Summarised scores:

PAKISTAN 95-7 in 20 overs (Nain Abidi 35, Bismah Maroof 25, Aliya Riaz 10; D.J.S. Dottin 3-20, A. Mohammed 1-16, S.S. Connell 1-17); WEST INDIES 91-3 in 17.4 overs (S.R. Taylor 48 not out, D.J.S. Dottin 19, Kyshona A. Knight 13 not out; Nida Dar 2-12, Sania Khan 1-17).— Sports Reporter

Abdullah keeps Pakistan’s hopes alive

PERTH: Abdullah Abbasi on Sunday kept Pakistan’s hopes alive by staying at the top of his form at the 10th World Youth Scrabble Championship being played in Perth, Australia.

Abdullah remained on top of the table throughout the second day but a defeat in the last match of the day pushed him to the second spot.

Nicholas Hong of Singapore is now on top with 15 wins and a spread of 842 while Abdullah is second with 14 wins and a spread of 962. Sanchit Kapoor of the UAE is close behind with 14 wins and a spread of 947.

The twins Hassand Hadi and Hammad Hadi were 15th and 16th at the end of day two while their younger brother 10-year-old Hasham Hadi is 24th.

Team Pakistan is currently third. Another five matches will be played on Monday, which will decide the new youth champion of the world.

Meanwhile, the side tournament for adults was won by Nigel Richards of New Zealand. Nigel won 16 of the 18 matches with a spread of 1,713. His only two defeats of the tournament came at the hands of the two Pakistanis Waseem Khatri and M. Inayatullah.

Young Moiz Baig was the surprise runner-up ahead of many top players of the world with 12 wins and a spread of 1,110.

Russel Honeybun of Australia finished third with 12 wins and a spread of 565.

Published in Dawn, November 2nd, 2015

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