COOLIDGE (Antigua): West Indies Women won the second Twenty20 Inter­national against Pakistan Women by seven runs method under bizarre circumstances at the Coolidge Cricket Ground here on Friday.

Play had to be stopped upon the completion of the 18th over with Pakistan Women on 103-6 in the pursuit of 126-run target after they had slumped to 25-3. The highlight of the innings was the 42-run partnership between Nida Dar (29 off 36) and Sidra Nawaz (17 off 25).

Pakistan innings had to be paused in the fourth over when West Indies player Chinelle Henry collapsed while fielding at mid-off. Later, Chedean Nation also fell ill and both were rushed to a nearby hospital.

West Indies Women brought on two substitutes and the game continued, with the home side eventually declared winners by seven runs on Duckworth-Lewis-Stern after another interruption.

“It isn’t very easy in those conditions and situations. I’m just happy that the team was able to go over the line for those two ladies who weren’t with us, and we’re just waiting on all the information that we can get,” West Indies head coach Courtney Walsh said. “They have our full support and we’ll be riding with them as well.”

Pakistan skipper Javeria Khan remarked: “The thoughts and prayers of the whole Pakistan team are with Chinelle Henry and Chedean Nation. We wish them quick recovery and are hopeful that we will play against them in the final match. Such incidents are tragic and can shake whole dressing rooms. Hats off to the West Indies that they turned up and completed the match despite the grave incident.”

Earlier, Pakistan restricted West Indies to 125-6 after Stafanie Taylor opted to bat at the toss.

A 32-run stand of the fifth wicket between Nation (28 off 33) and Kycia Knight (unbeaten 30 off 20) brought West Indies back into the contest.

The third and final match will be played on Sunday at Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium in North Sound.

Scores in brief:

WEST INDIES WOMEN 125-6 in 20 overs (Kycia Knight 30 not out, Chedean Nation 28; Fatima Sana 2-18, Anam Amin 2-31); PAKISTAN WOMEN 103-6 in 18 overs (Nida Dar 29; Hayley Matthews 1-13).

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2021