Pakistan land excellent warm-up win

by Harry Josephs

SCORECARD

Pakistan produced a superb run chase to beat T20 world champions West Indies as Grace Road hosted its first ICC Women's World Cup warm-up game today. 

Bismah Maroof and Nain Abidi shared 141 at exactly a run a ball for the fourth wicket as Pakistan got home by five wickets in the 48th over.

Pakistan won the toss and elected to field but Hayley Matthews got the West Indies off to a quick start in hitting 32 off 38 balls, including four fours and a maximum, before being run out by Abidi. 

The second wicket was taken in the 15th over, Chedean Nation dismissed lbw for 7 by captain Sana Mir. 

This bought West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor to the crease. Taylor put on 35 for the third wicket with Felicia Walters before attempting to clear the inner ring but was caught off the bowling of Imitaz for 14. 

Walters reached 50 off 81 balls but was dismissed soon after for 58, the best score of the innings. 

Pakistan spinners bowled with superb control making it tough for the West Indies to score easily. The West Indies bought their 200 up in the 45th over with Afy Fletcher and Merissa Aguilleira putting on 40 runs quickly. 

West Indies finished at 246-7 thanks to 40 from Aguilleira and 24 from 12 balls from Shanel Daley.

Ayesha Zafar and Nahida Khan (9) opened the batting for Pakistan and shared 14 before Nahida was caught and bowled from a rising Shamilia Connell delivery. A run out soon followed with both batsmen at the same end with Zafar being the batsman to be dismissed for 29 off 44 balls.

Marina Iqbal followed shortly after lbw for 13 attempting to sweep Taylor. Pakistan bought up 100 in the 23rd over for the loss of three wickets. Maroof and Abidi started to form their match-winning partnership and Pakistan needed 131 runs from 25 overs.

With 20 overs to go Pakistan required 103 to win as the West Indies sprung the bowling changes. Bismah went through to her 50 off 57 balls, including seven boundaries.

Bismah and Abidi bought up their 100 partnership from just 102 balls in the 34th over, leaving Pakistan well set needing 81 from the 16 overs.

Bismah eventually departed for 75 off 80 balls including nine fours, ending a partnership of 141. Having got above the required run rate, Iqbal and Abidi were able to knock the ball around to get Pakistan close to their target.

With just 20 required, Pakistan suffered a second run out, Iqbal run out for 11, Imtiaz came to the wicket. The 47th over contained two fours from Imtiaz which left Pakistan needing five off the last three overs. 

Imtiaz hit the winning runs with a terrific cover drive, meaning Pakistan won by five wickets with Abidi unbeaten on 81 from 86 deliveries.

Pakistan are in action against Australia in the second warm-up game at Grace Road on Thursday and also feature in the first two fixtures of the tournament proper at Grace Road, playing South Africa on Sunday and England on Tursday.

* In today's other warm up game at Oakham School, Australia racked up a huge 324-5, Elyse Villani hitting a huge 124 (13x4 and 7x6). She was ably supported by Ellyse Perry who hit 67 (6x4, 2x6). 

South Africa in reply scored were 221 all out, Trisha Chetty hitting 62 and Dane van Niekerk scoring 54. Jess Jonassen stood out with the ball for Australia taking 3-29 off her nine overs.

ÔÇïPhoto credit: ICC/Getty Images