West Indies take title with thumping win

West Indies Women completed a thumping 130-run win against Pakistan Women in the final of the Women's World Cup Qualifiers in Mirpur. West Indies chose to bat and put on 250 for 5, driven by a hard-hitting career-best 95 from Deandra Dottin. The top order all contributed, with cameos, opener Juliana Nero also hitting a half-century. While Dottin's knock included seven sixes and five fours, Nero steered the innings with a 98-ball 63. Pakistan's opener Qanita Jalil put the side on course with a fluent 53, but once offspinner Anisa Mohammed came on, the innings collapsed. Anisa too put in a career-best performance, claiming 7 for 14 in 8.3 overs to bowl Pakistan out for 120.

West Indies' captain, Merissa Aguilleira said she was happy the side had moved up in the rankings. "It is truly fantastic to walk away with the tournament trophy and undefeated at that, and to also know we have improved on the global rankings," she said. "It's been a brilliant event, with some competitive cricket played - I'm extremely happy with the team effort, we have been consistent out there and it has paid off."

Player of the Match, Anisa said she had enjoyed playing in spin-friendly conditions. "It's been great to play here in the subcontinent, where the wickets are good for spin. I had hoped to take five wickets in the final but to walk away with seven wickets, I'm thrilled."

Stafanie Taylor, who was the Player of the Series praised the team effort that went into the win. "I'm thrilled to have received the Player of the Tournament trophy, but it was very much a team effort throughout the event and I'm happy we've walked away with the trophy."

Sri Lanka Women chased down 193 in a close game against South Africa Women in Fatullah, to finish third in the tournament. After batting, South Africa were steered by a patient 68 from opener Shandre Fritz. The Sri Lanka bowlers shared the wickets around, but Sandamali Dolawatte was the pick, claiming three wickets with her legspin, as well as a run out. Sri Lanka's chase was then set up by a century stand from their openers, Chamari Atapattu and Yasoda Mendis. The pair dismissed in quick succession, for 60 and 47 respectively, and South Africa picked up wickets at regular intervals thereafter, but it was not enough. Sri Lanka sneaked home with three wickets in hand and two balls to spare.

Hosts Bangladesh Women eased to an 82-run win against Ireland Women in Savar, in the fifth-place play-off. Batting first, Bangladesh made 210 for 7, on the back of a 113-run stand from their openers, Suktara Rahaman and Sharmin Akhter Supta. While Rahaman and Supta got fifties, none of the other batsmen could build on the starts they got but the cameos they made was enough to push Bangladesh past 200. Medium-pacer Jill Whelan finished with the best figures for Ireland, 3 for 31, and also effected two run outs. The Ireland chase never really got going, and there was panic as four of their line-up were run out. None of the Ireland batsmen managed more than opener Cecelia Joyce's 42.

Netherlands Women secured seventh place by beating USA Women by 126 runs in Savar. Netherlands were put into bat and built their total around solid contributions from their top order. Captain Helmien Rambaldo and Kerry-Anne Tomlinson made half-centuries, with Tomlinson top scoring with 73, as Netherlands finished with 293 for 7. USA could manage only 167 for 8 in reply, Tomlinson again the star for Netherlands with four wickets. The result would have been much worse for USA if it hadn't been for a 72-run stand for the eighth wicket between Triholder Marshall and Anahita Arora.