![West Indies were in sparkling form in the 1st ODI [Image: PCB]](https://www.womenscricinsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/GLcVpLeWYAAySOh.jpg "West Indies were in sparkling form in the 1st ODI [Image: PCB]")
West Indies put up a dominant performance against Pakistan, securing a resounding victory in the 1st ODI of the series.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, West Indies got off to a shaky start losing opener Rashada Williams early to Sadia Iqbal. However, their captain Hayley Matthews showcased exceptional resilience and skill, anchoring the innings superbly.
Walking in after the early loss of opener Rashada Williams, Matthews faced a testing period against the Pakistani bowling attack, which was initially in control of the proceedings.
However, she quickly settled into her rhythm, displaying impeccable technique and shot selection. Matthews showcased her versatility by rotating the strike effectively and punishing any loose deliveries. Her innings was a blend of elegance and power, as she confidently dispatched the ball to the boundaries whenever the opportunity arose.
As the innings progressed, Matthews assumed the role of the anchor, holding the West Indies innings together while her teammates played around her. She showed remarkable maturity in pacing her innings, ensuring that she capitalized on the loose balls while respecting the good deliveries.
Despite losing partners at the other end, Matthews remained unfazed, exhibiting great temperament and concentration throughout her stay at the crease. Her ability to build partnerships, particularly the crucial century stand with Shemaine Campbelle, provided the much-needed stability to the West Indies innings.
Captain leading from the front 💪
1️⃣4️⃣0️⃣* 🌴🏏 @MyNameIs_Hayley #PAKWvWIW | #MaroonWarriors pic.twitter.com/fZVtMNRQSw— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) April 18, 2024
Matthews formed crucial partnerships, first with Shemaine Campbelle and later with Chinelle Henry, to stabilize the innings after the initial setback. Her innings of 140 not out off 150 deliveries was the cornerstone of West Indies’ total of 269/8 in their allotted 50 overs.
Despite some spirited bowling efforts from the Pakistani bowlers, particularly Sadia Iqbal and Tuba Hassan, who claimed two wickets each, the West Indies batting lineup managed to post a challenging target. Facing a daunting chase of 270 runs, Pakistan got off to a shaky start losing early wickets. Sidra Ameen’s dismissal in the second over of the innings set the tone for the struggles to follow.
Shamilia Connell set the tone early on with her fiery opening spell, troubling the Pakistani top order and claiming a crucial wicket. Her ability to generate pace and movement off the pitch kept the batters on their toes and prevented them from settling into any rhythm.
A fantastic unbeaten knock of 1️⃣4️⃣0️⃣* leads the #MaroonWarriors to a solid total🌴🏏 @MyNameIs_Hayley #PAKWvWIW | #MaroonWarriors pic.twitter.com/hBdVcxBSz6
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) April 18, 2024
Chinelle Henry, another key contributor with the ball, showcased her skill and accuracy to maintain pressure from one end. Henry’s nagging line and length forced the Pakistani batters into errors, resulting in vital breakthroughs at crucial junctures of the innings. Her early dismissal of Sidra Ameen set the stage for West Indies’ dominance with the ball.
Bismah Maroof’s departure soon after further compounded Pakistan’s woes, leaving them reeling at 24/2 within the powerplay overs. The onus then fell on the experienced duo of Muneeba Ali and Nida Dar to stabilize the innings. Ali showed glimpses of her class with a composed knock, but her run-out brought an abrupt halt to Pakistan’s hopes of building a substantial partnership.
Nida Dar, leading the side, displayed her trademark grit and determination, but the mounting required run rate kept Pakistan under pressure. Despite her valiant efforts, Dar couldn’t find the necessary support from the middle order to mount a significant challenge to the West Indies total.
Aliya Riaz and Fatima Sana tried to stem the tide, but both fell victim to the disciplined West Indies bowling attack. As the innings progressed, the Pakistani batters struggled to find momentum, with wickets falling at regular intervals. Najiha Alvi’s gritty innings provided some respite for Pakistan, as she combined with Tuba Hassan to offer a glimmer of hope. However, the required run rate continued to escalate, forcing Pakistan into a desperate situation.
Afy Fletcher proved to be a thorn in Pakistan’s side with her crafty leg-spin, bamboozling the batters with her variations and guile. Fletcher’s ability to extract turn and bounce from the pitch made her a potent threat, as she claimed two crucial wickets to dent Pakistan’s hopes of mounting a successful chase.
Hayley Matthews, the star performer of the match, continued her all-round heroics with the ball, wreaking havoc in the Pakistani batting lineup. Her off-spin bowling was particularly effective, as she troubled the batters with her flight and dip, ultimately picking up three key wickets to dismantle Pakistan’s middle order.
Despite their efforts, Pakistan’s batting lineup failed to counter the relentless pressure applied by the West Indies bowlers, ultimately succumbing to a comprehensive defeat. While there were moments of individual brilliance, Pakistan would rue the lack of substantial partnerships and a collective batting effort. They will need to regroup quickly and address their batting vulnerabilities to bounce back in the remaining matches of the series.
The West Indies bowlers, led by Hayley Matthews’ stellar all-round performance, kept the pressure on with disciplined bowling efforts. Afy Fletcher and Zaida James also made significant contributions with the ball, picking up crucial wickets at regular intervals.
In the end, Pakistan could only manage to score 156 runs before being bowled out in 35.5 overs, falling short by 113 runs.
Hayley Matthews was rightly adjudged the Player of the Match for her outstanding performance with both bat and ball, scoring a brilliant century and also claiming three crucial wickets. Her all-round display played a pivotal role in West Indies’ comprehensive victory.
That 1st innings knock takes @MyNameIs_Hayley over the 5️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ WODI run mark against Pakistan Women.🏏#PAKWvWIW #MaroonWarriors pic.twitter.com/aMbxFG1OFA
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) April 18, 2024
With this win, West Indies Women have taken an early lead in the series, showcasing their dominance in both batting and bowling departments. Pakistan, on the other hand, will look to regroup and come back stronger in the upcoming matches to level the series.
Pakistan vs West Indies 1st ODI: Brief Score
West Indies- 269/8 in 50 overs (Hayley Matthews 140, Shemaine Campbelle 45; Sadia Iqbal 2/38, Tuba Hassan 2/48) defeated Pakistan- 156 all out in 35.5 overs (Tuba Hassan 25; Hayley Matthews 3/17, Afy Fletcher 2/17) by 113 runs.
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