Taylor too good for Pakistan
Published:Thursday | July 8, 2021 | 12:10 AMLennox Aldred/Gleaner Writer
Captain Stafanie Taylor was in scintillating form, scoring her sixth One-Day International (ODI) century to guide the West Indies Women to a five-wicket win over Pakistan Women in the opening match of the five-match series at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in St John’s, Antigua, yesterday.
Taylor stroked a memorable, unbeaten 105 from 116 balls in the West Indies run chase, as they got to 209 for five, replying to Pakistan’s score of 205 for nine.
The right-handed Jamaican, who came to the crease in the 12th over with the home side at 44 for two, batted through the rest of the innings and hit 11 fours and two sixes.
Taylor led from the front and urged her team on by sharing in three vital partnerships. First, she added a valuable 46 runs for the fourth wicket with Deandra Dottin, who made just nine runs.
She then put on another 46 runs with compatriot Chedean Nation, who hit one six in her knock of 23 runs. Taylor and Britney Cooper, who was not out on 17, saw the regional side over the line with an unbeaten 42-run sixth-wicket stand.
Wicketkeeper Kycia Knight also chipped in with 19 runs against two wickets for Sadia Iqbal.
Earlier, the West Indies asked Pakistani to take first strike, and Taylor was once again imperious with the ball, bagging three wickets for 29 runs from her 10 overs.
MOHAMMED SHOWING PEDIGREE
Anisa Mohammed also showed her pedigree with two wickets for 31 runs, while there was a wicket apiece for Shamilia Connell and Shakera Selman, who dismissed the innings’ top-scorer Nida Dar, who made 55 from 71 balls.
Opener Ayesha Zafar, who weighed in with 46, shared in a 70-run opening stand with Muneeba Ali.
Taylor said she was elated to finally get a sixth career century, which has eluded her for some time.
“I have been dreaming of this day to finally pass 500 and to finally make it six, I am really happy,” she said. “I said to myself, I know I am always in this position and I like batting in 50-over games and I knew once I got myself in, we would get the runs.”
The second ODI will take place at the same venue tomorrow.