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Hayley Matthews continued her red-hot form with a blistering 141 off 149 balls as the West Indies women’s cricket team thrashed Pakistan by 88 runs in the third and final ODI at Karachi’s National Stadium. This emphatic victory completed a dominant clean sweep for the Windies, showcasing their clinical performance throughout the series.
Matthews, fresh off her unbeaten 140 in the series opener, picked up right where she left off. She dominated the Pakistan bowling attack, finding the boundary with ease and punishing any loose deliveries. Her knock, laced with 15 fours and 2 sixes, anchored the West Indies innings on a sluggish Karachi pitch.
West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor provided valuable support with a well-compiled 42, adding a crucial 101-run stand for the third wicket with Matthews. This partnership laid the foundation for a strong total, despite a mini-collapse in the middle overs. Pakistan’s spinners, particularly Nashra Sandhu (3-54), managed to take some wickets but were unable to contain the Windies’ batting onslaught.
Chasing a daunting target of 279, Pakistan’s batting faltered from the outset. Openers Muneeba Ali (38) and Ayesha Naseem (24) offered some resistance, but once they departed, the Pakistan innings crumbled. The West Indies bowlers shared the spoils effectively, with Chinelle Henry (2-17), Sheneta Grimmond (1-23), and newcomer Shabika Gajnabi (1-28) all chipping in with wickets. However, it was the experience of Hayley Matthews (2-26) with her disciplined medium pace that rattled the Pakistan middle order, ensuring they were never truly in the contest.
This comprehensive victory by the West Indies highlights their growing dominance in women’s cricket. Hayley Matthews was deservedly named Player of the Match for her back-to-back centuries, while her overall performance throughout the series cemented her status as a world-class batter.
Matthews’ batting masterclass powered West Indies to a formidable total of 278 for 6 wickets on a sluggish track at the PCB Stadium. Pakistan’s bowlers toiled away without much reward, with only Nashra Sandhu managing to take three wickets for 54 runs. Despite the slow pitch, Matthews displayed exceptional strokeplay, finding the boundary with ease and keeping the scoreboard ticking over. Her knock was a display of both power and finesse, as she anchored the West Indies innings and provided a solid platform for her teammates to build upon.
Openers Matthews and Stefanie Taylor got the visitors off to a steady start, putting together a crucial 101-run partnership for the third wicket. This vital stand laid the foundation for West Indies’ imposing total. After Taylor’s dismissal, Matthews continued to dominate, finding boundaries at regular intervals and rotating the strike effectively. She fell shortly before the end of the innings, but her knock had ensured West Indies were in a commanding position.
Chasing a mammoth 279 for victory, Pakistan’s batting faltered from the outset. The West Indies bowlers, led by the impressive Shenelle Alleyne (2-10) and the ever-reliable Matthews (2-26), kept the pressure on the Pakistani batsmen. Openers Muneeba Ali (38) and Ayesha Naseem (24) provided a glimmer of hope with a 48-run opening stand, but once they departed, the Pakistan innings fell apart. The middle order failed to capitalize, succumbing to a combination of tight bowling and poor shot selection.
None of the Pakistani batsmen were able to build a substantial score, and they were eventually bundled out for a meager 190 runs. This emphatic win sealed the series victory for West Indies in convincing fashion.
Hayley Matthews was deservedly named Player of the Match for her back-to-back centuries. Her exceptional batting throughout the series proved to be the difference-maker for West Indies. This clean sweep will serve as a major confidence booster for the Caribbean side as they look ahead to future challenges.
Key Takeaways:
- Hayley Matthews’ twin centuries were instrumental in West Indies’ series win.
- Pakistan’s bowlers struggled to contain Matthews’ aggressive batting.
- West Indies’ bowlers displayed discipline and accuracy to restrict Pakistan’s batting lineup.
- This clean sweep will be a significant morale boost for the West Indies team.
The series victory over Pakistan is a testament to the growing strength of the West Indies women’s team. With players like Hayley Matthews leading the way, the future looks bright for Caribbean cricket.
For Pakistan, there are lessons to be learned. Their bowling attack, despite flashes of brilliance from Sandhu, lacked consistency. The batting order, heavily reliant on the top two, needs more depth to compete against top teams like the West Indies.
The series win marks a significant moment for West Indies women’s cricket. They have displayed exceptional form and a winning mentality, and will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with in upcoming tournaments.
