| West Indies 116-6 (20 overs): Williams 30 (34), Campbelle 22 (26); Dar 2-13 |
| Pakistan 113-5 (20 overs): Riaz 29 (23), Dar 27 (31); Matthews 2-14 |
| West Indies won by three runs |
| Scorecard. Tables |
England qualified for the Women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals after Pakistan slipped to a nervy three-run defeat by West Indies.
Chasing 117, Pakistan needed 18 from a dramatic final over but could only manage 14 to fall agonisingly short.
It meant England are certain to finish in the top two in Group 2 and can guarantee top spot if they avoid defeat to Pakistan on Tuesday.
Rashada Williams earlier hit 30 from 34 balls as West Indies posted 116-6.
The result moved West Indies up to third and level on points with second-placed India, meaning they still have a mathematical chance of reaching the semi-finals.
However, their inferior net run-rate means they need India to lose heavily against Ireland on Monday to overtake them.
If India do lose then Pakistan would also have a chance of reaching the last four if they beat England on Tuesday.
Bismah Maroof’s side looked to have the upper hand when they restricted West Indies to a below-par score, but paid the price for an ultra-cautious approach at the start of their reply.
It took until the eighth over for Pakistan to hit a boundary and they limped to 40-2 at the halfway stage in a match littered with individual mistakes from both sides.
Some hefty late hitting from Aliya Riaz – who scored a lively 29 from 23 balls – set up a dramatic finish, but West Indies just managed to squeeze home.
The 2016 winners once again had captain Hayley Matthews to thank for a superb all-round performance, scoring 20 from 21 balls with the bat, taking 2-14 with the ball and claiming a superb catch in the field.
Despite the loss, it was a memorable match for Pakistan all-rounder Nida Dar, who took 2-13 to become the joint-highest wicket-taker in Women’s T20I internationals with 125.
More to follow.
