West Indies Defeated by 116 for 6 (Williams 30, Darr 2-13). Pakistan 113 for 5 (Riyadh 29, Mathews 2-14) by three runs
Defending a paltry 116 to avoid elimination, West Indies prevailed through a disciplined bowling effort led by Mathews before facing Pakistan’s late onslaught.
Pakistan’s chances of qualifying from Group 2 suffered a major blow before they played unbeaten England, who have already qualified for the semi-finals after the result.
Dramatic final over
Although Pakistan’s task of scoring 18 runs in the last over looked bleak, West Indies improved their chances with only three fielders out of the circle due to an over-rate penalty.
Sana revived Pakistan’s hopes with a boundary on the outside edge off the first ball, before Riaz hit back-to-back boundaries off the third and fourth balls as the pressure mounted on Connell. But he bowled Riaz in reply, who cut on the stumps, and then comfortably delivered a full delivery on the leg-stump to Umaima Sohail who went for leg-by as the West Indies survived.
Mathews impressed the West Indies once again.
West Indies needed early wickets, especially from opener Muniba Ali, who was fresh off her stunning century against Ireland.
But Mathews likes to bowl Muniba and he bowled his first ball of the fourth over with just two fielders to leave a chance at backward point. However, he was not to be denied and Muniba claimed to dismiss opener Sidra Amin before taking an athletic catch at short midwicket later in the over as the West Indies began to choke.
A disciplined West Indies did not hit a boundary until the eighth over as they summoned the energy in the field that had been missing during their lackluster start to the tournament. Their constant pressure ensured that Pakistan’s desired run-rate spiraled out of control, but the West Indies initially faced a late challenge led by skipper Bisma Maruf.
Mathews took matters into his own hands and returned to the attack in the 18th over. Maruf was denied his loud lbw shout early on but successfully looked to star for the second straight game for the West Indies.
West Indies were left frustrated by Darr’s relentless accuracy.
For the West Indies to keep their slim semi-final chances alive, they needed a big win. After winning the toss, Mathews saw a big target in sunny and warm conditions. Chasing the pressure with a brilliant half-century to lead West Indies to a drought-breaking win over Ireland, Mathews laid a platform with fellow opener Rushda Williams.
Williams successfully checked Ayman Anwar’s decision for lbw in the second over and then stood outside the crease to counter the sharp in-swing effort. But both the openers failed to convert the opening and West Indies struggled to build momentum on a slow pitch.
