#CWC22: Nida Dar spins a web as Pakistan seal a famous win
- By Web Desk -
- Mar 21, 2022
A brilliant performance by spinners helped Pakistan restrict West Indies to 89/7 before the batters kept their calm to seal an eight-wicket victory in Hamilton.
Pakistan clinched their first victory of the 2022 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, beating West Indies by eight wickets in Hamilton, registering their first points on the board. The result was a big dent in the West Indies’ hope of qualifying for the semis.
Chasing a target of 90 in 20 overs, Muneeba Ali and Sidra Amin provided a solid platform for Pakistan. The latter would be dismissed in the sixth over, with Afy Fletcher knocking her over for 8 as she tried to up the ante.
But Muneeba joined by skipper Bismah Maroof, would then stitch together a vital 35-run stand while keeping the required rate under control to take Pakistan closer to their first CWC22 victory.
Muneeba would get a second chance, being dropped for 35, but could not make the most of her opportunity. She would perish on the very next delivery, attempting a wild slog against Shakera Selman to be dismissed for 37.
Another short and crucial stand of 33* runs between Maroof and Omaima Sohail though would seal the deal for Pakistan. Maroof remained unbeaten on 20 while Sohail scored 22 as celebrations erupted in the Pakistan camp with an eight-wicket victory and seven balls remaining in the bank.
Earlier, Pakistan’s spinners were in full flight as West Indies were restricted to 89/7 after 20 overs in Hamilton. Nida Dar, in particular, was mighty impressive, registering figures of 4/10 in her four overs.
It was a steady start for West Indies in the Powerplay, with Deandra Dottin and Hayley Matthews helping their side to 19/0. Pakistan though would strike immediately after, with Matthews attempting a big heave against Fatima Sana and holing out to backward point for 1.
Dottin also could not convert her good start to a big score, being caught and bowled by Nida Dar for 27 off 35 deliveries. Skipper Stafanie Taylor and Shemaine Campbelle tried to steady the ship for their side. However, their woes against spin would continue, with the batters looking all at sea against the tweakers. Campbelle would be outfoxed by Dar, running down the wicket but failing to get to the pitch of the delivery and Sidra Nawaz would then do the job to stump Campbelle for 7.
Chedean Nation also failed to contribute, with Omaima Sohail dismissing her for a duck. The struggles would continue as Pakistan ended up scalping an incredible team hat-trick. Dar scalped the wickets of Kycia Knight (8) and Chinelle Henry (0) in the 16th over before Stafanie Taylor was caught and bowled by Nashra Sundhu for 18 on the first ball of the next over.
These wickets at regular intervals helped Pakistan restrict their opponents to an under-par score, though Fletcher chipped in with a handy seven-ball 12* at the end.
After a lengthy delay, Pakistan skipper Bismah Maroof called it right at the toss, electing to field first in a contest that was reduced to 20-overs-a-side due to incessant rains in the morning. Pakistan made two changes to their playing XI, with Muneeba and Anam Amin coming into the side. West Indies drafted in Anisa Mohammed, Kycia Knight and Shakera Selman.