LAHORE:An excellent half century by Gull Feroze and disciplined bowling helped Pakistan Women A defend a below par total of 174 and beat West Indies (WI) A by eight runs in the first One Day of the three match rubber at the Ghani Glass Cricket Ground on Tuesday.
Earlier, WI Women A won the toss and invited the home side to bat first. Right-handed batter Gull Feroza’s half-century (62, 101b, 4x4s) allowed Pakistan Women A to get to 174 before being dismissed in 49.3 overs. The second-best batter during the innings was young opening batter Shawaal Zulfiqar, who scored 17 from 40 balls and hit two boundaries. Gull Feroze was adjudged player of the match for her responsible knock.
Right-arm pacer Cherry-Ann Fraser returned with three wickets and left-arm orthodox spinner Zaida James picked up two wickets.
In return, West Indies Women A were dismissed for 166 in 45.2 overs, falling nine runs short of the target. Right-handed batter Shabika Gajnabi (29, 44b, 3x4s) was the highest scorer for the touring side. The captain, Rashada Williams, was squarely behind Shabika producing 27 in 39 balls, including two fours.
Despite the low total, the Rameen-led spin attack ensured that West Indies Women A did not get comfortable in the chase. Two wickets each by Saima Malik, Anosha Nasir and the skipper herself helped restrict the visitors in their pursuit of the target, as the side was bowled out in the 46th over.
The second one-day match between Pakistan Women A and West Indies Women A will be played on 26 October at Ghani Glass Ground, Lahore.
Scores in brief:
Pakistan Women A beat West Indies Women A by eight runs
Pakistan Women A 174 all out, 49.3 overs (Gull Feroza 62, Shawaal Zulfiqar 17; Cherry-Ann Fraser 3-38, Zaida James 2-29)
West Indies Women A 166 all out, 45.2 (Shabika Gajnabi 29, Rashada Williams 27; Saima Malik 2-28, Anosha Nasir 2-29, Rameen Shamim 2-31)
Player of the match – Gull Feroza (Pakistan Women A)