KARACHI: Riding on an unbeaten 102 from skipper Stefanie Taylor, the West Indies beat Pakistan by six wickets to complete a whitewash in the three-match women’s ODI series at the National Stadium on Sunday.

       Set 226 to win, the visitors recovered from 15-3 in the fifth over to reach the target for the loss of four wickets in 44 overs.

       Taylor shared a fifth-wicket stand of 128 runs with Chedian Nation (51 not out) to set up a comfortable win.

       West Indies had also won the first two ODIs at the same venue in comfortable fashion.

       Batting first, Pakistan could only manage just 225 after skipper Javaria Khan was run out for the second time in the series. Javaria, the team’s most experienced batter, could manage only 13 but opener, Muneeba Ali made a solid 58 from 88 balls with eight fours.

       Once she was dismissed only Aliya Riaz (44 from 57 balls) and Omaima Sohail (27) and Erum Javed (26) were able to make worthwhile contributions.

       Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Anam Amin and pacer Diana Baig sent back the first three visiting batsmen cheaply but Taylor batted beautifully in her 117 balls innings, hitting 12 fours while Chedian stroked seven fours in her quick innings. All-rounder Hayley Matthews also made an important 49 runs.

       The ODI series is part of preparations for the ICC qualifiers being held in Zimbabwe from where both teams need to qualify for next year’s World Cup. Both teams departed for Harare later on Sunday.

       Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2021