Joseph’s half-century clinches series for WI ‘A’ Women 

Teenager Djenaba Joseph carved out an unbeaten half-century to give a successful run chase as West Indies Women-A defeated Pakistan Women-A by three wickets to settle the three-match 50-over series. Chasing a tricky 164 at the Gaddafi Stadium, West Indies got over the line in the 45th over, with the 19-year-old Joseph top-scoring with 51 not out off 84 deliveries.

Joseph, struck seven fours and anchored key partnerships of 32 with opener Shunelle Sawh (37) and 45 with Cherry-Ann Fraser (18).

The hosts were dismissed for 162 in the 45th over, with Sidra Nawaz (27), Anosha Nasir (23) and Shawaal Zulfiqar (22) all getting started but failing to carry on.

Seamer Jahzara Claxton, 17, led the Caribbean side’s attack with 4 for 19 while left-arm spinner Zaida James (2-25) and off-spinner Sheneta Grimmond (2-40) supported with two wickets apiece.

Shawaal and Evman Fatima (21) gave the Pakistanis a solid start as they posted 49 off 56 balls for the first wicket.Claxton ripping through the top order as the hosts lost six wickets for 14 runs in 31 balls, to plunge to 63 for 6 in the 15th over. The recovery came courtesy of a 40-run, seventh wicket stand between Sidra and Nasir, and then a 39-run last wicket partnership between Humna Bilal (21 not out) and number 11 Saima Malik (12).

In reply, West Indies Women-A were given a fine start by Sawh who counted six fours in a 73-ball knock as she put on 53 for the first wicket with Shabika Gajnabi who made 24 from 41 balls lashing four fours. Sawh added a further 32 for the third with Joseph before departing at the end of the 30th, the visitors then lost four wickets for two runs off 12 balls, tottering on 106 for six at the end of the 32nd. However, Joseph held her nerves to add a crucial 45 for the seventh wicket with Fraser to see off the home side’s challenge.