Bowlers give Pakistan A victory over West Indies Women

Pakistan Women A team secured a seven-wicket win over West Indies Women A in the first T20 game, a low-scoring encounter at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium, North Sound, Antigua.

West Indies A mustered a paltry 96-8 from 20 overs, to which Pakistan A responded with 98-3 from 18.5 overs.

West Indies A got a flying start of 31 in 4.5 overs by skipper Reniece Boyce and Rashada Williams, before the Pakistani bowlers pulled things back with some tight bowling, led by off-spinner Rameen Shamin.

Williams topscored with 33 off 39 balls (2x4s) and Boyce made 15 off 13 (3x4s), but after that only Guyanese Shabika Gajnabi got going with 20 not out off 21 balls.

Shamin was outstanding with the ball, claiming 2-10 off four overs, and seamer Aimen Anwar had 2-22 off four.

In reply, Pakistan A had a start of 40 in 7.2 overs from openers Ayesha Zafar and Umaima Sohail that effectively ended the game as a contest.

Zafar remained unbeaten on 40 off 45 balls (4x4s), while Sohail was dismissed for 21 off 33 (2x4s). West Indies bowlers leaked 19 extras.

Guyanese spin pair Mandy Mangru and Kaysia Schultz had 1-9 and 1-18 respectively, while left-arm spinner Steffi Soogrim had 1-11.

The teams will clash again on July 2 and 4, before three ODI games on July 10, 13 and 16. The A team series is being played alongside the senior West Indies and Pakistan Women teams clashing in three T20 Internationals and five ODIs.