SYDNEY, Australia (CMC):

All-rounder Stafanie Taylor shone for West Indies, but it was Pakistan who emerged with honours when they claimed a four-wicket win over the regional side in their Super Six clash at the ICC Women's World Cup yesterday.

The 17-year-old stroked an attractive half-century to propel West Indies to 132 for nine off their 50 allotted overs after they were put in at Drummoyne Oval.

She then returned to send down a miserly spell of one for 13 from her nine overs, but it was not enough to turn back Pakistan who reached their target with 13 balls to spare.

Her innings - a superb 55 from 115 balls - was required after West Indies experienced a miserable start and crashed to 24 for four in the 12th over.

They lost captain Merissa Aguilleira for one with the score on 15 and were then further set back by an incisive burst from opening left-arm seamer Almas Akram who virtually wiped out the top order.

Akram, who finished with three wickets for seven runs from seven overs, accounted for Pamela Lavine (1) and Cordel Jack (0) within the space of four balls in the fifth over before returning to prise out Stacey-Ann King for one.

The right-handed Taylor then proceeded to hold the innings together with a skilful innings that included three fours.

She shared a 31-run, fifth-wicket stand with Afy Fletcher who scored 12 and then added another 38 for the sixth wicket with Deandra Dottin who stroked an enterprising 23 from 32 balls with two fours.

Both Taylor and Dottin fell to leg-spinner Urooj Mumtaz Khan as the Windies collapsed to 109 for eight in the 40th over but Anisa Mohammed's unbeaten 12 ensured the regional girls saw out their overs.

West Indies then squandered a good chance to turn the tables on Pakistan when they reduced them to 55 for five in the 30th over.

Fast bowler Shakera Selman bowled Bismah Maroof for seven with the score on 12 to trigger the slide that saw three more wickets fall for the addition of just 43 runs.

brink of victory

But Armaan Khan stroked an unbeaten 43 and Urooj Mumtaz returned to crack 22 in a 61-run, sixth wicket stand that held up the Windies and took Pakistan to the brink of victory.

Khan hit three fours and two leg-side sixes off just 48 balls while Urooj Mumtaz's innings spanned 68 balls and had just one four, as she played the sheet-anchor role.

When Urooj Mumtaz fell with victory in sight, Qanita Jalil lashed a cameo 15 from 13 balls with two fours to seal the issue.

West Indies will face England in their second Super Six encounter on Tuesday (Monday night, Eastern Caribbean time) at Bankstown Oval.

India's Amita Sharma (centre) celebrates with teammates Priyawka Roy (left) and Jhulan Goswami after taking a wicket during their Women's World Cup cricket match against Australia at North Sydney Oval in Sydney, Australia, yesterday. India beat Australia by 16 runs. Scores: India 234 for five off 50 overs; Australia 218 for seven off 50 overs. - AP