Taylor, Ramharack, Henry shine as West Indies score thrilling win over Pakistan

Staff Report

 KARACHI: Stafanie Taylor’s 73 on the back of tidy three-wicket hauls from Chinelle Henry and Karishma Ramharack helped West Indies down Pakistan by two wickets in the second ODI, but not before a late twist, here on Sunday. The game all but seemed to be heading in West Indies’ direction when they were placed at 180 for 3 after 41 overs, chasing 224. Pakistan skipper Nida Dar reached the significant milestone of 100 wickets, becoming the second Pakistani women’s bowler and the 27th overall to achieve this feat. However, despite her remarkable achievement, the West Indies women secured a thrilling last-ball victory in the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 fixture held at the National Bank Stadium, taking a 2-0 lead in the series. Requiring six runs off the last over and three runs off the final ball, a boundary off an outside edge from Karishma Ramharack’s bat dashed the hopes of the home team. The West Indies women were in control of the match at 180 for three in 41 overs before Nida initiated a middle-order collapse.

Nida, who joined Sana Mir as the only Pakistani bowler to claim 100 wickets, dismissed opener Rashada Williams and further dismantled the West Indies innings by accounting for Chedean Nation, Aaliyah Alleyne, and Chinelle Henry, leaving them struggling at 219 for seven after 49 overs. Fatima Sana conceded only two runs off the first five balls of the final over and also claimed the wicket of Afy Fletcher. However, the disappointment was palpable as the ball found the boundary after brushing the outside edge of Ramharack’s bat. Nida finished with impressive figures of 9-0-52-4, while Umm-e-Hani secured two wickets for 38 runs. Sadia Iqbal and Fatima Sana each picked up a wicket. With the win, West Indies also claimed an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series. Opting to bat, Sidra Ameen and Bismah Maroof struck fifties, but didn’t get much support from the rest of the batting unit as Pakistan were bowled out for 223 in 48.5 overs. This despite West Indies conceding 30 extras (21 wides and nine leg byes) in their innings.

Henry struck with her third ball taking out Muneeba Ali for 1. Ameen and Maroof then added 80 for the second wicket to take Pakistan forward. Ameen fell for 50 lbw to Fletcher, and once she was dismissed, the hosts failed to stitch any partnership of note. Maroof held one end up as she recorded her 20th ODI fifty off 91 balls. She was the seventh Pakistan wicket to fall with the score on 196 in the 42nd second over. For West Indies, while Ramharack and Fletcher cut a swathe through the middle order, Henry cleaned up the tail. That Pakistan reached 223 was down to wicketkeeper-batter Najiha Alvi’s 28-ball 25. In the chase, while West Indies lost opener Rashada Williams relatively early, Hayley Mathews kept the innings going with 44. Once she fell, it was Shemaine Campbelle and Taylor, who kept the innings chugging along. The duo added 88 off 106 balls for the third wicket going toe-to-toe in a bid to reach their fifty. Campbelle got their first, reaching the landmark in 70 balls, while Taylor reached their three balls later off 61 balls. Taylor kept the innings going even as Campbelle fell but Dar brought about a flurry of wickets to silence the visitors. Sadia Iqbal took out Taylor in the 47th over while Dar picked two wickets in the 49th to tilt the scales marginally in Pakistan’s favour. But Ramharack kept her cool when it mattered the most.

Brief scores:

West Indies Women beat Pakistan Women by two wickets

Pakistan Women 223 all-out, 48.5 overs (Bismah Maroof 65, Sidra Ameen 50, Najiha Alvi 25; Chinelle Henry 3-37, Karishma Ramharack 3-48, Afy Fletcher 2-46) vs West Indies 225-8, 50 overs (Stafanie Taylor 73, Shemaine Campbelle 52, Hayley Matthews 44, Chinelle Henry 23; Nida Dar 4-52, Umm-e-Hani 2-38)

Player of the match – Stafanie Taylor (West Indies Women)

Third ODI – Tuesday, 23 April, National Bank Stadium (3.30pm start)

First ODI – West Indies Women won by 113 runs.