PAARL, South Africa (CMC) — West Indies once again survived a dramatic final over before pulling off a three-run victory against Pakistan to keep alive their slender hopes of a semi-final place in the Women’s Twenty20 World Cup here Sunday.

Defending a paltry 117 at Boland Park, West Indies were forced down to the wire by a determined Pakistan before getting over the line to post their second victory in three days, yanking themselves into third spot in Group 2 on four points.

Entering the final over West Indies appeared favourites, especially with Pakistan needing 18 for victory, but the balance shifted after fast bowler Shamilia Connell sent down a succession of loose deliveries to concede three boundaries.

Fatima Sana (nine not out) squirted the first delivery to the third man ropes before top-scorer Aliya Riaz (29) punched two of her four fours, to leave her side requiring a nerve-jangling five runs from the last two balls.

The game took another twist when Aliya Riaz dragged on the fifth delivery and, needing four off the final ball to force a decisive super over, Omaima Sohail missed a heave at a full-length delivery and could scramble a leg bye.

“We know it’s a game of cricket and the momentum could change at any point in time,” a relieved Captain Hayley Matthews said afterwards.

“We knew Pakistan still had dangerous batters at the crease, and we had to be on our mark for as long as possible to be able to win the game at the end.”

Rashada Williams had earlier top-scored with 30 from 34 balls as the Caribbean side gathered 116 for six from their 20 overs after choosing to bat first.

She featured in a 33-run opening stand with Matthews (20) and then in a 40-run, second-wicket partnership with Vice-Captain Shemaine Campbelle (22).

Once the 25-year-old Williams was beaten in flight by left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal and tapped a return catch in the 13th over, West Indies declined at the back end, losing five wickets for 38 runs off 42 balls.

In reply, Pakistan slumped to 15 for two in the fifth over after losing Muneeba Ali (5) and Sidra Ameen (8) cheaply; and even though Bismah Maroof (26) anchored two successive productive stands to revive the run chase, both partnerships were sluggish and elevated the required run rate.

Bismah struck two fours in a 33-ball knock in adding 44 off 53 deliveries for the third wicket with Nida Dar (27), before putting on a further 30 off 26 balls for the fourth wicket with Aliya Riaz who punched four fours in a breezy, 23-ball outing.

Matthews, adjudged Player of the Match after claiming two for 14 from four overs of off-spin, struck the key blow when she had Misbah lbw on review in the 18th over as the runs dried up quickly for Pakistan.

Scoreboard

WEST INDIES

*H Matthews c Sidra Ameen b Fatima Sana 20

+R Williams c & b Sadia Iqbal 30

S Campbelle st Muneeba Ali b Tuba Hassan 22

C Henry lbw b Nida Dar 11

S Gajnabi st Muneeba Ali b Nashra Sandhu 13

A Alleyne b Nida Dar 9

A Fletcher not out 4

T Holder not out 1

Extras (b3, lb2, w1) 6

TOTAL (6 wkts, 20 overs) 116

Did not bat: Z James, S Connell, K Ramharack

Fall of wickets: 1-33 (Matthews), 2-73 (Williams), 3-86 (Henry), 4-90 (Campbelle), 5-107 (Alleyne), 6-111 (Gajnabi)

Bowling: Sadia Iqbal 4-0-18-1, Aiman Anwer 2-0-19-0, Nida Dar 4-0-13-2, Fatima Sana 2-0-10-1, Nashra Sandhu 4-0-26-1, Tuba Hassan 4-0-25-1

PAKISTAN

+Muneeba Ali c wkp Williams b Matthews 5

Sidra Ameen c Matthews b Ramharack 8

*Bismah Maroof lbw b Matthews 26

Nida Dar c Ramharack b Fletcher 27

Aliya Riaz b Connell 29

Fatima Sana not out 9

Omaima Sohail not out 0

Extras (lb1, w8) 9

TOTAL (5 wkts, 20 overs) 113

Did not bat: Aiman Anwer, Tuba Hassan, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal

Fall of wickets: 1-15 (Muneeba), 2-15 (Sidra Ameen), 3-59 (Nida Dar), 4-89 (Bismah Maroof), 5-112 (Aliya Riaz)

Bowling: Connell 4-0-31-1, Henry 4-0-23-0, Matthews 4-1-14-2, Ramharack 4-0-18-1, Fletcher 4-0-26-1

Result: West Indies Women won by three runs

Man of the Match: Hayley Matthews

Toss: West Indies Women

Umpires: Lauren Agenbag, Vrinda Rathi

TV umpire: Sue Redfern