The West Indies began its journey in the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 2016 on a winning note, defeating Pakistan by four runs in an exciting Group B match in Chennai on Wednesday.

The West Indies, restricted to 103 for eight after being sent in to bat by Pakistan captain Sana Mir, hit back to keep the rivals down to 99 for five in a nail-biting finish at the Chidambaram stadium.

Seamer Deandra Dottin starred for the West Indies by conceding just seven runs in the final over which began with Pakistan needing 12 runs for victory.

Off-spinner Anisa Mohammed picked up three wickets to ensure Pakistan’s batters were not allowed to settle down on the slow pitch.

West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor anchored the West Indies innings with 40, joining England’s Charlotte Edwards and Sarah Taylor as the only batters to complete 2,000 runs in women’s Twenty20 Internationals.

Taylor reached the landmark on 38, but no other team-mate managed to reach 20.

Pakistan’s two left-arm spinners shared six wickets, with Anam Amin returning with excellent figures of four wickets for 16 runs from four overs and Sadia Yousuf taking two for 14.

Pakistan lost opener Javeria Khan in the first over through injury, but Bismah Maroof top-scored with 22 and Asmavia Iqbal remained unbeaten on 19 to keep their team in the hunt till the end.

“I don't think we played good cricket even though we managed to restrict Pakistan,” said West Indies skipper Taylor. “There is always room for improvement because the tournament is going to get harder as we go on.”

Pakistan captain Sana Mir added: “It was a good game of cricket, a very close game.  We may have lost but I am happy with the way the girls performed after coming into the tournament without playing a practice match.”

Pakistan next plays India in New Delhi on Saturday, while the West Indies takes on Bangladesh in Chennai on Sunday.

Summarised scores:

West Indies beat Pakistan by four runs in Chennai

West Indies 103-8, 20 overs (Stafanie Taylor 40; Anam Amin 4-16, Sadia Yousuf 2-14)

Pakistan 99-5, 20 overs (Bismah Maroof 22, Sidra Ameen 20, Asmavia Iqbal 19 not out, Sana Mir 18, Anisa Mohammed 3-25) 

Thursday’s fixtures:

Bangladesh v England (15h30) Bengaluru

Group tables:

Group A

Team              Played Won    Lost     NNR    Points

New Zealand   1          1          0          +1.51   2

Australia         0          0          0          -           0

South Africa   0          0          0          -           0

Ireland             0          0          0          -           0

Sri Lanka        1          0          1          -1.51    0

Group B

Team              Played Won    Lost     NNR   Points 

India                1          1          0          +3.6     2

West Indies     1          1          0          +0.2     2

England           0          0          0          -           0

Pakistan          1          0          1          -0.2      0

Bangladesh     1          0          1          -3.6      0

photo credit: ICC/Getty Images