Pakistan A started the T20 series against their West Indies counterpart with a seven-wicket win on Wednesday (June 30) at Antigua, courtesy of the composed batting performances from Ayesha Zafar and Nahida Khan.
Chasing less than five runs an over, Omaima Sohail and Zafar put together a 40-run partnership for the first wicket. Sohail made 21 runs from 33 balls before getting out to Steffie Soogrim. Kainat Imtiaz and newly appointed skipper Sidra Nawaz did not last long. While the former scored an 18-ball six, Nawaz got out to Mandy Mangru for a first-ball duck.
On the other hand, Zafar made sure they did not lose any further wickets. She stitched a partnership for the fourth wicket with the experienced Khan. Together, they added 31 runs, helping the team get across the line with seven balls to spare.
Zafar played the perfect anchor role, scoring an unbeaten 40 from 45 balls. Meanwhile, Khan made a 16-ball 12 at the other end. West Indies A used as many as eight bowlers, but they were able to make an impact on the Pakistan batting line-up. Mangru gave away nine runs in her two overs, picking up one wicket.
Earlier, West Indies A openers Reniece Boyce and Rashada Williams got them off to a solid start adding 32 runs before the former got out to Aiman Anwer for 15 from 12 balls. With Mangru and Rachael Vincent falling in quick succession, Williams tried to build a partnership with Shabika Gajnabi.
However, she got out to Maham Tariq after scoring 33 runs from 41 balls. Pakistan bowlers kept pegging away wickets at regular intervals. From 53 for one, West Indies A went to 75 for six.
Gajnabi held fort at one end and took the team to 96 for eight in 20 overs. She remained not out till the end and made 20 runs from 24 balls. Anwer and Rameem Shamim were the picks of the bowlers for Pakistan, taking two wickets apiece.
Brief Scores:
West Indies: 96/8 in 20 overs (Rashada Williams 33, Rameem Shamim 2/10) lost to Pakistan: 98/3 in 18.5 overs (Ayesha Zafar 40, Mandy Mangru 1/9) by seven wickets.
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