Hayley Matthews leads West Indies to narrow win over Pakistan

Paarl: Skipper Hayley Matthews led from the front as West Indies kept their slim semi-final hopes alive after a tense three-run victory over Pakistan in Paarl.

Defending a modest 116 to avoid elimination, West Indies were in control through a disciplined bowling effort led by Matthews before weathering a late Pakistan onslaught.

Pakistan needed an unlikely 18 runs off the final over, but three boundaries from Aliya Riaz and Fatima Sana reduced their equation to five runs off the last two balls. But quick Shamilia Connell held her nerve as West Indies remained in the competition for now.

Pakistan's chances of qualifying out of Group 2 took a major hit ahead of playing unbeaten England, who have qualified for the semi-finals after this result.

Dramatic final over

Even though Pakistan's task of hitting 18 runs in the last over seemed forlorn, their chances improved with West Indies only allowed three fielders out of the circle owing to an over-rate penalty.

West Indies win the match by three runs ?#BackOurGirls | #T20WorldCup | #PAKvWI pic.twitter.com/adEDRKNH31

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) February 19, 2023

Sana revived Pakistan's hope with a four off an outside edge from the first ball before Riaz hit consecutive boundaries off the third and fourth deliveries as the pressure intensified on Connell. But she responded by bowling Riaz, who chopped onto the stumps, and then calmly delivered a full delivery on leg stump to Omaima Sohail that went for a leg bye as West Indies survived.

Matthews inspires West Indies again

West Indies needed early wickets, particularly that of opener Muneeba Ali, who was fresh from her stunning century against Ireland.

But Matthews has a liking for bowling to Muneeba and almost snared her first delivery of the fourth over only for two fielders to drop a chance at backward point. However, she wasn't to be denied and claimed Muneeba later in the over before taking an athletic catch at short midwicket to dismiss opener Sidra Ameen as West Indies gained a stranglehold.

A disciplined West Indies didn't leak a boundary until the eighth over as they summoned energy in the field that had been absent during their lacklustre start to the tournament. Their sustained pressure ensured Pakistan's required run rate climbed out of control, but West Indies had to fend off a late challenge led initially by skipper Bismah Maroof.

Matthews took matters into her own hands and returned to the attack in the 18th over. Her loud lbw shout to Maroof was initially turned down but she successfully reviewed to star for West Indies in a second straight game.

West Indies left frustrated by Dar's relentless accuracy

For West Indies to keep their slim semi-final chances alive, they needed a big victory. Matthews eyed a big target in sunny and warm conditions after winning the toss. Having led West Indies to a drought-breaking win against Ireland with a brilliant half-century under pressure chasing, Matthews laid a platform with fellow opener Rashada Williams.

Williams successfully reviewed an lbw decision in the second over off the bowling of Aiman Anwer and then countered the quick's attempts at in-swing by standing out of her crease. But both openers were unable to convert starts and West Indies struggled to accelerate on a sluggish pitch.

The conditions suited Pakistan's spin-heavy attack with offspinner Nida Dar the standout as she mustered her experience to frustrate West Indies, who were unable to put the foot down late.

Dar bowled full and straight relentlessly while claiming the wickets of Chinelle Henry and Aaliya Alleyne in the back end to finish with 2 for 13 from four overs. The wicket of Alleyne, clean bowled in the penultimate over of the innings, was Dar's 125th in T20Is to equal the record of West Indies offspinner Anisa Mohammed.