Despite a brilliant half century from Priya Punia, the Indian women’s cricket team failed to chase down 225 and fell agonisingly short in the first ICC Women’s Championship ODI of the three-match series against West Indies played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Friday.

India needed eight runs off the final over to win the game. But Anisa Mohammed, who picked up a five-wicket haul in the match, rose to the challenge, striking with the first and final deliveries of the last over to hand a dramatic win to the hosts. She dismissed Ekta Bisht and Poonam Yadav for golden ducks, and the experienced Jhulan Goswami was stranded on 14*.

Earlier in the day, the hosts got off to a solid start with McLean and Stacy-Ann King putting on 51 runs for the opening wicket. McLean was particularly impressive, notching up an 82-ball 51 for her second ODI fifty.

Chasing the total, Priya impressed once again, top-scoring for the visitors with a 107-ball 75 and provided a solid foundation to the team alongside Jemimah Rodrigues. During the opening stand of 78, India seemed on track on their chase. However, the Windies skipper stepped up again, dismissing Rodrigues for 41 in the 22nd over, and provided the hosts with a much-needed breakthrough.

Punam Raut and skipper Mithali Raj each kept the scoreboard ticking, and by the time India had lost their skipper in the 42nd over, they were firmly in control at 176/4. However, West Indies fought back once again with three quick wickets, reducing India to 195/6 with five overs to go.