TT Under-23 captain guides Windies women to victory

KARACHI: Nelly Williams stroked a solid half century and guided the West Indies to a seven-wicket win over Pakistan in the first Women’s One-Day International (ODI) at the Karachi National Stadium yesterday. Williams scored 54 as the West Indies posted 144 for three in reply to the home side’s 142 for eight off 50 overs to reaffirm their dominance over the Pakistanis in limited overs cricket. The West Indies, preparing for next year’s World Cup in South Africa, take a 1-0 lead into the second ODI tomorrow.

Sent to bat, Pakistan made a fairly promising start with opener Kiran Baluch and Number 3 batter Batool Naqvi ending up as top-scorers for their team.  Medium pacer Jackie Robinson had sent back Sajida Shah (14) through a return catch with just 20 runs on the board. Baluch, who scored a new Test record 242 against West Indies in their drawn one-off Test last week, made 32, and Naqvi stroked a team-best 36.  But the home team’s middle and lower order struggled. Robinson effected two run-outs and also clutched a catch, while opening bowler Phillipa Thomas led the bowling with two for 30 off 10 overs. Robinson, with one for 18 off seven overs, Envis Williams, one for 20 off 10, and Doris Francis, one for 28 off eight, were the other successful bowlers.

In form left-hander Nadine George made only 14 when the tourists replied, but match MVP Williams and Juliana Nero (26) posted a 66-run second-wicket partnership to set up the easy win. Williams, the Trinidad and Tobago Under-23 captain, and Verena Felicien, solidified the West Indies’ position and they eventually coasted to victory with 13 overs to spare. At the end, Felicien was not out on 31, and Robinson on four. West Indies had also beaten Pakistan by seven wickets when they met in the World Cup qualifying tournament in Holland last year.