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Lahore, Pakistan – It was heartbreak for Ireland Women as they came within one hit of a win in their second match of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier against West Indies today.  

Overnight and morning rain meant it was a reduced 33-over-a-side game. In a match that ebbed and flowed, it could have gone either way but ultimately, the Carribbean side held their nerve.  

Having been put in to bat first, West Indies began their innings brightly, the in-form Hayley Matthews (23) looking in good touch. But, almost from nothing, Matthews chipped a good length delivery back at Ireland’s Orla Prendergast who took a sharp caught-and-bowled to dismiss the West Indies captain. 

Ireland’s bowlers were accurate, and once again, Jane Maguire (3-35) was the pick of the bowlers, with Cara Murray (1-35) also bowling well. It was a special day for Ava Canning (0-17) who earned her 50^th cap for Ireland and bowled with great economy. But Ireland’s catching was below par and cost them dearly as Stafanie Taylor (46), Zaida James (36) and Chinelle Henry (46) all survived catching chances early in their innings and went on to make Ireland rue missed opportunities as West Indies finished on a competitive 181-6.  

Gaby Lewis (17) and Amy Hunter (48) began well in the chase, putting on 57 for the first wicket. It was star all-rounder Matthews that brought West Indies back into the contest when she spun a good length delivery through the gate of Lewis and dismissed Orla Prendergast (1) soon after, repaying the all-rounder with a good caught-and-bowled of her own.  

Laura Delany (32) joined Hunter in the middle but when Hunter misjudged an Afy Fletcher delivery and was bowled just short of her half-century, Ireland found themselves suddenly in a spot of bother at 80-4.  

It was an enthralling match from beginning to end, with Ireland fighting right to the very end. Christina Coulter Reilly (26) showed some real strength of character and Arlene Kelly (18) took it to the final over, but eventually it was Matthews (4-24) who sealed a six-run victory for West Indies, and heartbreak for Ireland. 

Gaby Lewis’s side won’t have long to ruminate as they face Bangladesh on Sunday with the later start of 10am Irish time.  

See full scorecard here