Captain Rashada Williams produced a match-winning half-century as West Indies Women “A” beat Pakistan Women “A” by three wickets with a ball to spare, to level their three-match 50-over series on Thursday.

Set 189 for victory, the visitors overhauled their target thanks to Williams who top-scored with 71 off 94 balls. Shabika Gajnabi made 25 from 38 balls while Zaida James got 23 from 58 balls down the order.

The victory was an important one for West Indies Women “A” following their eight-run defeat in the opener last Tuesday. The series is therefore now level 1-1 – with the third and final match to be played at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday (12 midnight Eastern Caribbean/11pm Saturday Jamaica).

West Indies Women “A” lost Shunelle Sawh cheaply in the seventh over but recovered through Williams who anchored two critical stands. The captain, who has already played 51 internationals for the senior West Indies Women’s side, struck eight fours while adding 44 for the second wicket with Gajnabi and a further 50 for the fifth wicket with James.

Williams was dismissed in the 38th over with her side still 43 runs adrift of their target but Number eight Sheneta Grimmond struck a run-a-ball 17 to deny the hosts. Teenaged left-arm spinner Anosha Nasir was the best bowler with 3-36.

Earlier in the match, Pakistan Women “A” had earlier made to 188-9 from their 50 overs after being sent in, Sidra Nawaz hitting exactly 50 off 85 balls with four fours and openers Shawaal Zulfiqar (32) and Eyman Fatima (25) weighing in.

Off-spinner Ashmini Munisar led the visitors’ attack with 3-21 while left-armer Quiana Joseph claimed 2-30.

–CWI