Rain puts dent in WI Women’s World Cup preparations

DUBLIN, Ireland (CMC):

West Indies Women were denied valuable time in the middle when persistent showers brought a premature end to their fourth and final match of the Evara Tri-Nation T20I series against Pakistan Women yesterday.

Despite the absence of inspirational captain Hayley Matthews and veteran Stafanie Taylor, the Windies found themselves in complete control of the contest, having limited Pakistan to 117 for seven after 16.5 overs.

However, the heavens opened up thereafter, causing the match to be abandoned and ruled a no-result.

It meant the West Indies ended the Tri-nation series with two wins, one loss and one no-result from their four matches.

They, however, would have been looking forward to some much-needed batting practice ahead of their opening World Cup fixture against New Zealand on June 13.

With all-rounder Chinelle Henry leading the side in Matthews and Taylor’s absences, the Windies got off to an almost perfect start when spinner Zaida James had Muneeba Ali caught and bowled with the fourth ball of the innings and just four runs on the board.

Henry then dismissed Gull Feroza and Saira Jabeen in quick succession to leave Pakistan in more trouble at 29 for three at the end of four overs.

Spinner Afy Fletcher then trapped Ayesha Zafar lbw for 17 to make the score 45 for four and help the Windies tighten their grip on the contest.

Aliya Riyaz, who topscored with 24, and Rameen Shamim then shared a 37-run partnership for the fifth wicket — the highest of the innings — as they tried to stabilise things.

But, once Ashmini Munisar bowled the latter for 17, Pakistan lost three wickets for the addition of only seven runs to slump to 89 for seven.

In danger of being bowled out inside 20 overs, they needed skipper Fatima Sana’s unbeaten knock of 21 and Tuba Hassan, who finished on seven not out, to get them to three figures before the rain had the final say.

Henry was the Windies’ best bowler with 2-13, while Munisar claimed 2-15.