Dar’s career-best of 4-10 catalysed Pakistan to win their first Women’s World Cup match by eight wickets in 13 years, as well as denting the West Indies’ hopes of reaching the semi-finals in the process.

Originally the story of the match centred on rain at Seddon Park in Hamilton reducing the regulation 50 overs to 20 for each team.

This quickly changed once Pakistan ripped through the West Indies strong batting line-up to restrict them to 89-7 at Seddon Park.

Pakistan skipper Bismah Maroof’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss earlier in the day proved to be fruitful once Fatima Sana dismissed Hayley Matthews for one run and Deandra Dottin, West Indies’ top scorer with 27, was caught and bowled by Dar.

Dar then picked up Shemaine Campbelle’s wicket in the 12th over and Omaima Sohail bowled Chedean Nation for a duck in the 13th.

When Kycia Knight came to the crease, pressure was building on the West Indies to find boundaries as their score stood at just 51-4.

Pakistan continued to restrict their opponents and eventually West Indies snapped.

Dar dismissed Knight for eight runs as well as Chinelle Henry for a golden duck with her last two balls of her spell in the 16th over

Nashra Sandhu caught and bowled West Indies captain Stefanie Taylor in the next over, leaving to Afy Fletcher and Aaliyah Alleyne to pick up the pieces at the death.

While Fletcher was the proactive of the two, as she scored 12 runs off seven balls, it was too little too late for her team.

Fletcher bowled Sidra Ameen for eight runs in the sixth over of the Pakistan batting innings to give West indies hope a glimpse of hope.

This was followed by Muneeba Ali being dismissed by Shakere Selman for 37.

But Maroof and Sohail guided Pakistan to victory after scoring 20 and 22 runs each to reach the magic 90 mark.

Pakistan’s shock victory means the hopes of England, South Africa and India of qualifying for the next round have been boosted.

The West Indies are scheduled for showdown against South Africa on Wednesday (March 23) in Wellington while Pakistan will play England in Christchurch the next day.

Australia have progressed to the semi-finals after winning all five of their matches. 

South Africa also have a 100 per cent record where they have taken four wins from four.

West Indies, who have played six times, are third in the standings with six points and India have four points from five matches.

England and New Zealand are level on points with India but have a worse net run rate.

Pakistan still sit bottom having played five matches, though they are now tied with Bangladesh on two points.