Twitter Reactions: Pakistan open account by beating West Indies in rain-curtailed encounter

Pakistan finally opened their account in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2022 with an impressive eight-wicket win over the West Indies at Seddon Park in Hamilton on March 21. The match had to be reduced to 20-overs a side after the rain had threatened to play spoilsport. The West Indies, who prevailed over Bangladesh in a low-scoring thriller defending a paltry 140, could not do anything exceptional on this occasion.

Senior off-spinner Nida Dar broke West Indies’ backbone with figures of 4/10 as they failed to even surpass the 100-run mark. By the virtue of this win, the Women in Green snapped their 18-game losing streak in the ICC Women’s World Cup. Coincidentally, they had also won their last World Cup match against the West Indies in the 2009 edition.

The coin landed in the favor of Pakistan skipper Bismah Maroof and she elected to bowl, taking the wet outfield into consideration which would make batting easier in the second innings. Her decision was spot on as the West Indies batters never looked in good touch and struggled from early on. Pakistan picked up the key wicket of Hayley Matthews for just one.

Only opener Deandra Dottin and skipper Stefanie Taylor showed some resistance in an otherwise sorry-looking story. Dottin scored 27 runs from 35 deliveries while Taylor contributed with 18 runs off 31 balls as the women from Caribbean were restricted to 89/7 from their 20 overs. Nida Dar was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan as she finished with figures of 4/10 from her four overs at an economy rate of 2.5.

In reply, Pakistan did lose the wickets of both their openers Muneeba Ali and Sidra Ameen, but captain Bismah Maroof and Omaima Sohail added finishing touches in the penultimate over. This was indeed a much-needed win for the Maroof-led side after one-sided defeats to arch-rivals India and Australia that were followed by heartbreaking losses at the hands of South Africa and Bangladesh.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Best figures at a Women's World Cup for Pakistan:

4-10 Nida Dar v West Indies, 2022#CWC22 #PAKvWI https://t.co/P2F8unjJdl pic.twitter.com/qB5GRCxwFP

— hypocaust (@_hypocaust) March 21, 2022

Clinical Pakistan emerged as victors against West Indies, sealing their first #CWC22 win.

Match report 👇https://t.co/nBncteC6dD

— ICC (@ICC) March 21, 2022

"Onwards and upwards. We will take this momentum forward"
– @maroof_bismah on today's victory. #BackOurGirls | #CWC22 | #WIvPAK pic.twitter.com/2REMRQj0I5

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 21, 2022

Congratulations to Pakistan on winning their first ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup match since 2013. It’s also their first victory in an ODI in New Zealand! #CWC22 pic.twitter.com/ODADh7Uj1w

— Kass Naidoo (@KassNaidoo) March 21, 2022

First WC win for Pakistan Women since 2009- and captain @maroof_bismah has been witness to both!

Congratulations, team! 👏🏼🇵🇰#BackOurGirls | #CWC22 | #WIvPAK pic.twitter.com/QXQopHNHmj

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 21, 2022

Congrats #Pakistan womens team for their first win #CWC22. Showed real heart in the contest. @TheRealPCB #WIvPAK #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/XnEQLax0qk

— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) March 21, 2022

Brilliant victory for @TheRealPCB Women tonight in Hamilton v @windiescricket Women in @cricketworldcup showing great heart, belief & skill. They did their country proud! @iramizraja @mir_sana05 #CWC22

— Alan Wilkins (@alanwilkins22) March 21, 2022