KARACHI: Pakistan captain Nida Dar’s significant milestone of becoming the second bowler from the country to claim 100 One-day International wickets was soured by the West Indies’ two-wicket victory in the second ODI against the hosts here at the National Bank Stadium.

Victory for the visitors meant they gained an unassailable lead over Pakistan in the three-match series after what was a thriller of an encounter that ended on the last ball.

Facing a target of 224 runs, West Indies found themselves at 213-5 in 48 overs. Requiring six runs from the final over, and three off the last ball, a boundary off an outside edge from Karishma Ramharack sealed the dramatic win for the side, shattering Pakistan’s hopes.

Initially cruising at 180-3 in 41 overs, West Indies were sent into a tailspin by Nida’s exceptional bowling performance. Nida, who reached the milestone by dismissing opener Rashada Williams, dismantled the middle order by accounting for Chedean Nation, Aaliyah Alleyne, and Chinelle Henry, leaving West Indies struggling at 219-7 after 49 overs.

Despite a valiant effort by pacer Fatima Sana, who conceded only two runs off the first five balls and claimed the wicket of Afy Fletcher, her disappointment was palpable as the ball found the boundary off Ramharack’s bat.

Nida finished with remarkable figures of 4-52 runs in nine overs, while Umm-e-Hani secured two wickets for 38. Sadia Iqbal and Fatima also chipped in with a wicket each.

Stefanie Taylor was instrumental in West Indies’ victory, crafting a composed 73 off 90 balls with nine boundaries before falling to Sadia. This marked her 41st career half-century in 156 matches.

Taylor, a former top-ranked batter, forged an 88-run partnership for the third wicket with Shemaine Campbelle, who contributed a solid 52 off 73 balls with four fours.

Campbelle had earlier partnered with skipper Hayley Matthews, adding 39 runs for the second wicket before Matthews was caught by substitute Diana Baig after scoring 44 off 63 balls with three fours.

Earlier, Bismah Maroof and Sidra Ameen propelled Pakistan to a total of 223 in 48.5 overs. Bismah scored a patient 65 off 105 balls, her 21st half-century in 135 matches, while Sidra struck a brisk 50 off 70 balls, her eighth half-century in 65 matches, with four boundaries. The duo stitched together an 80-run partnership for the second wicket.

The only other notable partnership came for the seventh wicket, as Bismah and Najiha Alvi added 31 runs off 27 balls. Sadia and Najiha contributed a further 22 runs for the last wicket.

Chinelle Henry led the bowling attack for the West Indies, claiming three wickets for 37 runs, followed by Karishma Ramharack with three for 48, and Afy Fletcher with two for 46 runs.

Scores in brief:

PAKISTAN 223 in 48.5 overs (Bismah Maroof 65, Sidra Ameen 50, Najiha Alvi 25; Chinelle Henry 3-37, Karishma Ramharack 3-48, Afy Fletcher 2-46); WEST INDIES 225-8 in 50 overs (Stafanie Taylor 73, Shemaine Campbelle 52, Hayley Matthews 44, Chinelle Henry 23; Nida Dar 4-52, Umm-e-Hani 2-38).

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2024