BASSETERRE, St Kitts – A Shabika Gajnabi fifty and three-wicket hauls from off-spinners Plaffianna Millington and Ashmini Munisar powered Guyana to a convincing 42-run win over Barbados, in the Women’s T20 Blaze here Saturday.
Sent in at Warner Park, Guyana climbed to 108 for six from their 20 overs, courtesy of the 23-year-old Gajnabi’s top score of 52 from off 53 deliveries.
The 26-year-old Millington then claimed three for six while Munisar, 20, snatched three for eight, as Barbados folded cheaply for 66 with a ball remaining in the chase.
For Guyana, the victory halted a two-game losing streak but Barbados’ dismal form in the tournament continued with their third defeat in four matches.
Guyana’s start was less than stellar, however, plunging to 53 for five in the 11th over after pacer Allison Gordon (2-16) and off-spinner Erin Deane (2-18) both snatched a brace of wickets.
However, Gajnabi struck five fours and found a partner in Kaysia Schultz (15 not out) to add a critical 50 for the sixth wicket, and dig their side out of trouble.
There was no sign of the imminent collapse when Barbados crawled to 28 for one in the seventh over in reply but once NaiJanni Cumberbatch (14) tapped a return catch back to Munisar, the last nine wickets tumbled for just 38 runs.
Opener Kycia Knight top-scored with 17 as one of three batsmen in double figures but perished at the end of the 10th over, lbw missing a swing at a low full toss from leg-spinner Nyia Latchman.