LONDON: Aaliyah Alleyne’s late three-wicket burst helped West Indies survive a huge scare at Headingley on Thurs­day as they beat Scotland by just seven runs to secure a second win in the Women’s T20 World Cup.

The 31-year-old medium-pacer dismissed Darcey Carter, Ailsa Lister and Kirstie Gordon in the penultimate over of the Group B encounter after Carter’s half-century had given the Scots real hope of chasing down a target of 154.

Tight bowling from West Indies spinners Hayley Matt­hews and Afy Fletcher, who between them took 5-35, slo­wed Scotland’s charge before Alleyne turned the screw.

Carter and Katherine Fraser smashed 51 from the first five overs, with the former making 59 off her own bat. But despite her fine innings, Scotland were bowled out for 146.

Earlier, West Indies were indebted to Stefanie Taylor for the veteran’s unbeaten 19-ball 47, which included three sixes and four fours, as they made 153-6 after slumping to 85-5 in the 15th over.

This was 2016 champions West Indies’ second successive victory of the tournament after they launched their Group B campaign with a seven-wicket defeat of title-holders New Zealand.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026