Nida Dar's all-round performance powers Pakistan to a historic win

It was inarguably Nida Dar's day as she stamped her mark on this match as a batter, bowler and a spectacular fielder. Her all-round display powered Pakistan beat Windies by 12 runs to post a win in a closely fought series which the Windies won 2-1. This win by Pakistan is their first home win against any non-asian side since 2004.

Two teams met at Karachi's Southend Club Ground again, which hosted all three matches of the T20I series. Buoyed by their superb display in the previous match which was decided in the super over, the hosts Pakistan announced an unchanged team whereas Windies gave a debut to off-spinner Karishma Ramharack in the place of Shamilia Connell.

It was a historic day for Pakistan's Sana Mir who became the first Asian woman to appear in 100 T20I. She duly celebrated the occasion by claiming a wicket on the first as well as the final ball of her spell.

Winning the toss, the hosts chose to bat and made a confident start right from the go. Javeria Khan took the charge and raced to 10 runs quickly but Fletcher took an excellent catch off Selman to send her back in the third over. The over was finished by the skipper Bismah Maroof who hit two boundaries in three deliveries.

The opener Omaima Sohail along with Maroof kept the scoreboard ticking, but in the seventh over Maroof stepped out off Fletcher but beaten in flight and clean bowled for 19 (16). Nida Dar joined the opener and started a watchful inning to prevent further wickets going down. It was Sohail who hit the first six off the match in the 9th over.

In the eleventh over, debutant Ramharack lured Sohail, batting on 28, out of her crease and beat her in flight for a comfortable stumping. Ramharack dismissed Iram Javed was in the next over and the hosts were struggling at 80-4 after thirteen overs.

Nida Dar assumed command of an onslaught as she hit a six over long off boundary. She smashed another six and a four in consecutive deliveries in the next over to post 100 in the fifteenth over. In the next over Dar again smashed consecutive boundaries. She followed the same suit again in the penultimate over to bring her first T20I fifty on the home soil which took 40 deliveries.

Pakistan finished their inning for 150-6 in their twenty overs. It was the first time the Pakistan posted 150 against any top-8 nations.

Chasing a tough target of 151, Windies were rocked of the very second ball of the inning when Knight was stumped by Sidra Nawaz off Anam Amin for 0. Deandra Dottin was extremely lucky as she survived a close leg-before appeal, an easy run out and a dropped catch on the boundary which went for a six, in the span of 4 deliveries. Making full use from these lifelines, Dottin hit the second six off the over by sending the ball into the stand.

Campbelle tried to sweep the first delivery of the history maker Sana Mir but was played on for 9. Unfazed by the fall of wickets around her, Dottin sent the ball in the stands for another six and which was caught by the captain of Pakistan men’s team Sarfaraz Ahmed in his seat. She sent the next ball the square leg boundary.

Dottin was looking dangerous on 46, but in an attempt to bring her fifty with a six, the golden girl Nida Dar took an easy catch at deep mid-wicket. Soon Nation top edged Sandhu’s delivery and Sana Mir completed a fine catch and the Windies slumped to 74-4.

In the fifteenth over Aguilleira was caught ahead of her crease but the 3rd umpire ruled it a no ball as the wicket keeper Sidra Nawaz collected the ball before it crossed the stumps. In the next over, making amends for the earlier dropped catch, Nida Dar clean bowled Aguilleira for 14 and in the next over took a spectacular catch to dismiss McLean for 26 off Anwar.

On the last delivery of her spell, Sana Mir dismissed Henry which made things hard for Windies as they required 22 runs off  the final over. Windies managed to add only 10 runs and finished their inning on 138-8 and Pakistan completed a 12 run victory.

For her 50, two catches and a wicket, Nida Dar was awarded player of the match. She was also awarded Pakistan's player of the series whereas Deandra Dottin was declared the player of the series.

Despite a 2-1 loss in the T20I series, Pakistan have put superb performances. They will feel confident as both the teams will fly to Dubai for a three match ODI series.

Brief Scores:

Pakistan 150-6/20 (Dar 50, Sohail 28, Riaz 24*, Ramharack 2-20) beat Windies 138-8/20 (Dottin 46, Amin 3-34, Mir 2-21).