Mohammed spins West Indies to a win

For once Stafanie Taylor was overshadowed by her teammate Anisa Mohammmed who bowled a superb spell of 4 for 26 to help register yet another impressive nine-wicket win for West Indies over Sri Lanka in the ICC Women's Cricket Challenge at the North-West University No 1 Ground at Potchefstroom on Saturday.

Off-spinner Anisa spun a web around Sri Lanka, bowling them out for 165 in 48.3 overs. Anisa finished with figures of 4-26 with only Sri Lanka wicketkeeper Dilani Manodara holding fort with a knock of 29 off 69 balls with two boundaries. Taylor picked up 1-29.

In the West Indies reply, Taylor slammed an unbeaten 80-ball 69 with three boundaries to lead the chase. Together with Juliana Nero (52: 42b, 7x4), Taylor shared a rollicking 91-run opening stand in 12.1 overs. Thereafter the result of the match was a foregone conclusion as West Indies overhauled the target in 28.4 overs.

At the Witrand Cricket Club, South Africa registered a comprehensive eight-wicket win over Ireland. Mignon du Preez (66: 86b, 7x4) and skipper Cri-Zelda Brits (60: 64b, 4x4) shared an unbeaten 126 run third wicket stand to lead the hosts to the win.
Chasing Ireland's modest 162 for six off 50 overs, South Africa appeared to be in trouble at 37 for two. But the third wicket stand put paid to any Irish hopes of a revival as they romped him in the 35th over.

Elsewhere at North-West University No 2 ground, yet another skipper, this time of Pakistan, Sana Mir starred in her team's 45-run win over Netherlands.

Mir picked up 5-32 as Pakistan defended a target of 258 for nine. Netherlands appeared to be on course as opener Esther Lanser (75: 116b, 9x4) and Helmein Rambaldo (39:44b, 3x4) put on 106 for the second wicket.

But thereafter there was a collapse as Netherlands slipped to 201 for nine and ran out of steam.

Earlier, Pakistan total of 258 for nine was built around a steady 80-ball 52 (5x4) by Bismah Maroof. Off-spinner Esther de Lange restricted Pakistan with a spell of 4-43.