Matthews stars to give West Indies Women 2-0 lead

KARACHI, Pakistan (CMC):

Captain Hayley Matthews snatched three wickets and smashed her 11th Twenty20 International (T20I) half-century as West Indies Women stormed to a seven-wicket win over Pakistan Women in the second T20I yesterday.

The 26-year-old picked up three wickets for 25 runs from four overs of off-spin to limit the hosts to 121 for seven off their 20 overs, after West Indies were asked to field first.

Left-hander Muneeba Ali top-scored with a fluent 55 off 47 balls but no one else passed 15.

In reply, Matthews carved out 58 off 43 deliveries with 10 fours as West Indies Women coasted to a comfortable victory with 10 balls to spare, to assume a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

Still buoyed by the clean sweep in the one-day international series and their win in the opening T20 International last Friday, West Indies Women started brightly when they struck in the fourth over, Matthews pulling off a stunning one-handed catch low at point to remove Sidra Ameen for 10 off medium pacer Chinelle Henry.

Muneeba, who struck five fours, then shepherded the innings expertly, putting on 29 for the second wicket with Gull Feroza and a further 41 for the third with captain Nida Dar.

She was eventually part of a cluster of five wickets to fall for 28 runs in 28 deliveries - and the first of three wickets in the final over from Matthews, stumped giving the bowler the charge.

In reply, West Indies Women lost Qiana Joseph cheaply for seven in the fourth over, the left-hander lofting seamer Diana Baig to Nashra Sandhu at deep mid-on with 21 runs on the board.

Matthews played positively, however, especially through the on side, dominating a 67-run second-wicket with her vice-captain Shemaine Campbelle, who made 21, which put the visitors within touching distance of victory.

Pakistan Women fought their way back when they removed both Matthews and Campbelle within 12 balls and seven runs, to reduce the chase to 95 for three in the 15th over. Chedean Nation and Henry saw West Indies over the line in a 29-run unbroken fourth-wicket partnership.