Connell stars as WI Women hold off Pakistan
Published:Thursday | July 1, 2021 | 12:12 AMLennox Aldred/Gleaner Writer
Barbadian fast bowler Shamilia Connell put in a spirited performance by claiming three crucial early wickets to help the West Indies Women hold on for a narrow 10-run win in the opening T20 International against Pakistan women in Antigua yesterday.
Player of the Match Connell utilised the new ball with great effect as her three wickets for 21 runs helped to restrict the Pakistani’s to 126 for six in reply to the West Indies score of 136, also for the loss of six wickets.
Connell used her pace and accuracy to rip through the visitors’ top order, removing the first three batters, all being bowled, to leave the Pakistani’s reeling at 23 for three in the third over.
Hayley Matthews and Aaliyah Alleyne were also among the wickets to leave the visitors in tatters at 57 for six in the 13th over before Ayesha Naseem and Fatima Sana batting at number seven and eight,respectively, brought some life back into the run chase.
The pair added an unbroken 69-run seventh-wicket partnership to spruce up the run chase, bringing the equation down to 21 runs needed off the last over.
Shakera Selman conceded just 10 runs in the final over as Naseem, who was dropped twice by Hayley Matthews, was left unbeaten on 45 from 33 balls with two fours and a six while Sana was not out on 24 runs from 21 balls with three fours.
Alleyne finished with two for 23 while Matthew bagged one for 18.
Earlier, Matthews and Deandra Dottin gave the home side a decent start after being asked to take the first strike by Pakistan.
The pair blazed their way to 65 runs in the ninth over before the duo fell within two balls of each other. Matthews first went caught for 32 from 28 balls while Dottin also went caught for 31 from 26 balls.
Kyshona Knight played a cameo knock of 23 runs from 21 balls while her sister, Kycia, made 15 from 11 balls to get the West Indies over the 130 mark.
Nida Dar finished with two wickets for 15 runs, and Sana ended with two for 32.
In the first game of the doubleheader, the Pakistan Women ‘A’ team beat the West Indies Women ‘A’ team by seven wickets.
Batting first, the WI ‘A’ Women could only manage 96 for eight in their 20 overs, with Jamaican opener Rashada Williams top-scoring with 33. Pakistan then replied with 98 for three in 18. 5 overs, with opener Ayesha Zafar getting an unbeaten 40.