SNS GroupScotland overcame a determined fight from Hayley Matthews to open their Women’s Cricket World Cup qualifying campaign with an 11-run victory over West Indies in Lahore.
West Indies skipper Matthews took four for 56 as Scotland were bowled out for 244 having been asked to bat.
She was then forced to retire hurt during her own innings but returned both times and reached 114, putting her side within touching distance of victory before she ran out of partners when Abtaha Maqsood trapped Aaliyah Alleyne for 17.
Scotland made a slow start, scoring only 23 off the opening seven overs, and then fell to 62 for two after skipper Kathryn Bryce was caught behind off Matthews.
But Sarah Bryce and Megan McColl put on 82 for the fifth wicket as Scotland amassed a defendable total.
West Indies were aggressive in their approach to chasing that down behind the power of Matthews, who finished with 14 boundaries, but would be undone by Sarah Bryce’s impressive play behind the wicket.
She accounted for four wickets, three of them catches as well as the run out of Stafanie Taylor, as West Indies went from 192 for five to 203 for nine.
When Karishma Ramharack went for a duck, caught and bowled by Katherine Fraser, Matthews limped back on for a second time and together with Alleyne built a partnership worth 30, offering hope of an unlikely victory, before Maqsood had the final word.
Scotland will be back in action on Friday against Pakistan.
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