KARACHI, Pakistan, CMC – Captain Hayley Matthews snatched three wickets and smashed her 11th Twenty20 International as West Indies Women stormed to a seven-wicket win over Pakistan Women in the second T20I here Sunday.
The 26-year-old picked up three for 25 from four overs of off-spin to limit the hosts 121 for seven off their 20 overs, after the Caribbean side were asked to field first.
Left-hander Muneeba Ali top-scored with a fluent 55 off 47 balls but no one else passed 15.
In reply, Matthews carved out 58 off 43 deliveries with ten fours as West Indies Women coasted to a comfortable victory with ten balls to spare, to assume a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Still buoyed by the clean sweep in the One-Day International series and their win in the opening T20 International last Friday, West Indies Women started brightly when they struck in the fourth over, Matthews pulling off a stunning one-handed catch low at point to remove Sidra Ameen for ten off medium pacer Chinelle Henry.
Muneeba, who struck five fours, then shepherded the innings expertly, putting on 29 for the second wicket with Gull Feroza (14) and a further 41 for the third with captain Nida Dar (13).
She was eventually part of a cluster of five wickets to fall for 28 runs in the space of 28 deliveries – and the first of three wickets in the final over from Matthews – stumped giving the bowler the charge.
In reply, West Indies Women lost Qiana Joseph cheaply for seven in the fourth over, the left-hander lofting seamer Diana Baig to Nashra Sandhu at deep mid on with 21 runs on the board.
Matthews played positively, however, especially through the on side, dominating a 67-run, second wicket with her vice-captain Shemaine Campbelle (21), which put the visitors within touching distance of victory.
Pakistan Women fought their way back when they removed both Matthews and Campbelle in the space of 12 balls with seven runs, to reduce the chase 95 for three in the 15th over, but Chedean Nation (17 not out) and Henry (eight not out) saw their side over the line in a 29-run, unbroken fourth wicket partnership.
