CWG 2022 Women's tournament: Nida Dar's efforts go in vain as Barbados edge past Pakistan

The second match of the Women’s tournament at the Commonwealth Games 2022 on 29th July, Friday, saw Barbados edge past Pakistan in a 15-run victory at Edgbaston. Hayley Matthews’ side, representing the Caribbean islands, set Pakistan a target of 145 runs after batting first in the match.

Pakistan, in pursuit of a par score, made an unceremonious start to their chase as they lost the opener, Iram Javed, on the first ball of the second innings. The subcontinent side never looked like threatening the Barbados bowlers and were four down even before the 50-run mark. Pakistani skipper Bismah Maroof was the fourth wicket, elevated the troubles of her side by scoring a dismal 12 off 28 deliveries.

Maroof’s team were seemingly out of the game even before reaching the halfway mark in the second innings, but veteran all-rounder Nida Dar came to the fore with her team in troubled waters and registered a counterattacking half-century off just 31 deliveries. Dar’s blitz brought back the Asian team right back into the chase, but she never got the required support from the other end and eventually fell 15 runs short of the target.

Hayley Matthews was the pick of the Barbados bowlers as she returned with economical figures of 1/13 in her four overs. Shamilia Connell, Aaliyah Alleyne, and Deandra Dottin chipped in with a wicket each.

Kycia Knight and Hayley Matthews pushed Barbados to a competitive total

Earlier in the innings, Pakistan won the toss and put Barbados to bat first in the match. Hayley Matthew’s side lost volatile opener Deandra Dottin cheaply in the first over and needed to consolidate, which is exactly what they did, with the skipper stitching a 107-run stand for the second wicket with Kycia Knight. The duo registered their respective half-centuries as Barbados finished with 144/4, failing to utilize the start given by the experienced pair.

Fatima Sana was expensive in her four overs, conceding 41 runs but picked up two crucial wickets for the Pakistani team. Diana Baig also contributed with a wicket to her name. Pakistan will now square up against India in a mouth-watering clash on Friday, which will decide the fate of the teams in the competition.