DUBAI: Nashra Sandhu and Diana Baig shared six wickets between them before Sidra Amin slammed a half-century as Pakistan women defeated the West Indies women by four wickets in the third and final One-day International at the ICC Academy in Dubai to claim the series 2-1.

The victory in the fourth-round fixture of the ICC Women’s Championship has helped Pakistan women move ahead of the West Indies (11 points) and England (10), and join India on 12 points. However, Pakistan are placed behind India in fourth position on net-run-rate. Australia lead the table with 16 points while New Zealand are second on 14.

Nashra claimed three wickets for 21 runs in 10 overs and Diana bagged three for 42 from eight overs as the West Indies, who elected to bat first, were skittled out for 159 in 47.3 overs.

Sidra then led the run-chase with a gutsy 52 as Pakistan romped home with 16 balls and four wickets to spare.

This was Pakistan’s first series victory over the West Indies in 16 years and only their seventh ODI win in 26 matches. Overall, it was Pakistan’s 46th triumph in 158 One-day Internationals.

The foundation of the series win was laid in Karachi when Pakistan won the third and final Twenty20 International on Feb 3. Their 2-1 series win in Dubai reflects the impact the home series and win had on the overall confidence and motivation as Pakistan outclassed their more experienced and skilled team in an all-round performance.

The series triumph was more special as Pakistan had come from behind. They were routed by 146 runs in the first match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium last week, before leveling the series with a 34-run victory on Saturday here at the ICC Academy. Sidra (96), Nida (81) and Diana (4-34) had starred in the series leveling win on Friday.

After seamer Diana dismissed opener Kycia Knight on the third ball of the series decider, West Indies recovered to 87 for two before suffering a collapse during which they lost their last seven wickets for 72 runs.

Sandhu started the collapse when she dismissed Shemaine Campbell (26) to end the 52-run third wicket stand with skipper Stafanie Taylor. Sandhu added the wicket of Natasha McLean, but when Taylor (52 off 94 balls with five boundaries) became Diana’s second scalp, the West Indies looked down and out at 131 for seven after 37 overs.

However, Afy Fletcher (21) offered some resistance and added 28 runs with the last three batters.

Sidra Amin then launched Pakistan’s run-chase when she scored 52 off 107 balls with five fours and shared in three important partnerships. Sidra added 32 for the first wicket with Nahida Khan (15), 44 for the second with Javeria Khan (24) and 46 for the fourth with Nida Dar (26)

Shakera Selman finished with two wickets for 24 runs, while Taylor followed up her half-century with figures of 2-17.

The match was attended by PCB chairman Ehsan Mani and managing director Wasim Khan.

Summarised scores:

WEST INDIES 159 in 47.3 overs (Stafanie Taylor 52, Deandra Dottin 28, Shemaine Campbell 26, Afy Fletcher 21; Nashra Sandhu 3-21, Diana Baig 3-42); PAKISTAN 163-6 in 47.2 overs (Sidra Amin 52, Nida Dar 26, Javeria Khan 24; Stafanie Taylor 2-17, Shakera Selman 2-24).

Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2019