West Indies Women Defeat Pakistan by One Run in Thrilling T20I Match

The West Indies women's cricket team secured a nail-biting one-run victory over Pakistan in the first T20I match at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday. In a low-scoring encounter, the West Indies posted 122/9 in their 20 overs, with Qiana Joseph top-scoring with 34 runs and Stafanie Taylor contributing 30. Pakistan's Fatima Sana and Sadia Iqbal were the standout bowlers, taking three and two wickets respectively.

In response, Pakistan's chase got off to a shaky start, losing early wickets. However, Nida Dar (27) and Sidra Ameen (23) kept their team in the hunt. The match went down to the wire, with Pakistan needing 11 runs off the final over. West Indies' Shamilia Connell held her nerve, despite conceding a boundary off the penultimate delivery, to restrict Pakistan to 121/8. The star of the show was Karishma Ramharack, who claimed 4/15 with her off-spin, while captain Hayley Matthews chipped in with 1/16.

The decisive moment came on the last ball of the match, with Pakistan requiring two runs to win. Connell's delivery resulted in Tuba Hassan being run out, sparking celebrations in the West Indies camp. "It was a tough game, but we held our composure and believed in ourselves," said Matthews after the match. "Karishma bowled exceptionally well, and Shamilia showed great character in the final over."

Why this matters: The victory marks a positive start for the West Indies women's team in their tour of Pakistan, as they aim to build momentum in the T20I series. The close contest also highlights the growing competitiveness in women's cricket and the ability of teams to fight until the very end.

The second T20I between the West Indies and Pakistan is scheduled for Friday at the same venue. With the series on the line, both teams will be eager to put their best foot forward and secure a crucial win. The West Indies will look to continue their winning streak, while Pakistan will aim to bounce back and level the series.

Key Takeaways

• West Indies women's team beat Pakistan by 1 run in 1st T20I in Karachi.
• West Indies scored 122/9, with Qiana Joseph (34) and Stafanie Taylor (30) top-scoring.
• Pakistan's chase fell short at 121/8 despite Nida Dar (27) and Sidra Ameen (23).
• Karishma Ramharack's 4/15 and Shamilia Connell's final over heroics sealed the win.
• The 2nd T20I between the teams is scheduled for Friday at the same venue.