KARACHI: Deandra Dottin and Chedean Nation spoiled Pakistan women’s cricket team’s 100th Twenty20 International celebrations with an unbroken third wicket century stand that guided the West Indies women’s cricket team to a convincing 71 runs victory in the first of three fixtures at the Southend Club on Thursday.

Dottin clubbed eight fours and four sixes in an undefeated 60-ball 90 and Nation belted four fours and two sixes in a 35-ball 50 not out as the two batters put on 109 runs for the unfinished third wicket in around 12 overs to lift the West Indies from 51 for two to 160 for two.

In turn, fast bowler Shamilia Connell ran through the Pakistan top-order with 3-29 as the home side was bowled out for 89 in 18 overs.

Prior to the start of the match, a minute’s silence was observed in the memory and respect of Sharmeen Khan, former Pakistan women’s cricket team captain and one of the pioneers of women’s cricket who passed last month.

Dottin and Nation displayed their power-hitting abilities when they added 62 in the last five overs, including 44 runs in the final three overs. Nation was more ruthless when she scored 36 of the 62, while Dottin’s contribution remained 25 in 12 balls.

In turn, Connell broke the back of Pakistan top-order by accounting for Sidra Ameen (2), Javeria Khan (19) and Omaima Sohail (3) as the home side collapsed from 32-1 to 89 all out in 19 overs.

While Connell finished with the figures of 4-0-29-3, Shekera Selman and Anisa Mohammed equally share four wickets between them conceding eight and 17 runs, respectively.

Only captain Bismah Maroof gave some respectability to the Pakistan score when she scored almost a run-a-ball 38 with five fours. Javeria Khan scored 19 Dottin was happy with her match wining contribution, speaking at the post-match press conference she said: “I made use of the opportunities that came my way, I am happy that I contributed in my team’s win we started off very well and were able to sustain our performance throughout the game.”

Pakistan coach Mark Coles was on the other hand disappointed with his team’s performance.

“I am disappointed, I feel that the team can do a lot better, they need to take responsibility collectively, we have worked hard and maybe it was the nerves of playing a big game for the first time in 14 years at home, I hope we will have a better performance in the upcoming games,” he said.

The second match is on Friday with the last on Sunday.

Summarised scores:

WEST INDIES 160-2 in 20 overs (D.J.S. Dottin 90 not out, C.N. Nation 50 not out; Nashra Sandhu 1-23); PAKISTAN 89 in 18 overs (Bismah Maroof 38, Javeria Wadood Khan 19; S.S. Connell 3-29, S.C. Selman 2-8, A. Mohammed 2-17).

Published in Dawn, February 1st, 2019