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West Indies could manage only 103 for eight in 20 overs, but restricted Pakistan to 99 for five. Skipper Stafanie Taylor (40) and off-spinner Anisa Mohammed (3/25) were the stars in West Indies' win.
West Indies rallied to eke out a narrow four-run win over Pakistan in a close Group B match of the ICC Women's World T20 in Chennai on Wednesday.
Invited to bat, the West Indies could manage only 103 for eight in the stipulated 20 overs, but restricted Pakistan to 99 for five.
Skipper Stafanie Taylor (40) and off-spinner Anisa Mohammed (3/25) were the stars in West Indies' win at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Sent into bat after the coin landed in favour of Pakistan skipper Sana Mir, one of the most recognisable faces in the country's women cricket circuit, the West Indies struggled against left-arm spinner Anam Amin, who gave away a measly 16 runs in her quota of four overs while picking up four wickets.
Amin was ably supported by Sadia Yousuf, who bagged two wickets for 14 runs in her three overs. For the West Indies, Taylor, who opened the batting, top-scored with 40 off 48 balls. She struck five boundaries, but the rest fell without a fight to give Pakistan upper hand at the break. However, the West Indian bowlers fought back by bowling a tight line and length to stifle the Pakistani batswomen, who found it difficult to break the shackles.
Bisma Mahroof (22), Sidra Ameen (20), Asmavi Iqbal (19 not out), Mir (18) and Muneeba Ali (15) managed double digit scores, but none of them could make it big. Iqbal's knock came off just 13 balls with the help of a six.
Barring Shaquana Quintyne (3/17), the other West Indian bowlers were economical, with Anisa playing the lead role, much to Taylor's delight.
West Indies are a three-time semi-finalists at the Women's World T20.
Brief scores
West Indies: 103/8 out in 20 overs (Stafanie Taylor 40; Anam Amin 4/16)
Pakistan: 99/5 in 20 overs (Bismah Maroof 22, Sidra Ameen 20; Anisa Mohammed 3/25).