Category: CANA News

West Indies Women defeated Sri Lanka Women by five wickets in the 17th match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup at County Ground here on Sunday.

Scores

SRI LANKA WOMEN 98 in 19.4 overs (Nilakshika Silva 30, Kavisha Dilhari 21, Imesha Dulani 17, Kawya Kavindi 17; Hayley Matthews 3-15, Karishma Ramharack 2-15).

WEST INDIES WOMEN 99-5 in 16.1 overs (Stafanie Taylor 27 not out, Hayley Matthews 17, Deandra Dottin 12, Jannillea Glasgow 10 not out; Kavisha Dilhari 2-22).

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) says the 178th Session of its Executive Committee has concluded after four days of discussions on the region’s ‘most pressing public health priorities’, with Member States approving a series of strategies, plans of action and resolutions that will help strengthen health systems, improve preparedness for health emergencies, and expand access to essential health services across the Americas, including the Caribbean. Throughout the week, delegates reviewed the organization’s technical and financial priorities, and agreed on measures to advance regional cooperation in areas including health emergency preparedness, antimicrobial resistance, arboviral diseases, food safety, and access to vaccines, medicines and other strategic health supplies through PAHO’s Regional Revolving Funds.

In total, PAHO said the Executive Committee considered 41 agenda items, approved 13 resolutions, adopted four policy documents, and reviewed seven progress reports and four final reports.

Among the key decisions were the approval of the Strategy for Strengthening Health Emergency and Risk Management for Health Security 2026-2031, the Plan of Action on Antimicrobial Resistance 2027-2031, the Integrated Management Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Arboviral Diseases 2026-2035, the Strategy and Plan of Action on Food Safety 2026-2031, and measures to strengthen and align PAHO’s Regional Revolving Funds, PAHO said.

The Committee also reviewed the Preliminary End-of-Biennium Assessment of the PAHO Program Budget 2024-2025 and the Final Report on the Implementation of the PAHO Strategic Plan 2020-2025, ‘reflecting on progress made toward improving health across the region while identifying priorities for the years ahead.’

Delegates also received updates on the implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005), the organization’s Shared Services Initiative, ethics and internal oversight, human resources management, and efforts to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse.

The Committee also discussed an innovative financing mechanism being developed jointly by PAHO and the Inter-American Development Bank to expand countries’ access to financing for high-cost medicines through the Regional Revolving Funds, PAHO said.

PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa thanked Member States for their constructive engagement and commitment throughout the week.

‘Members States took full responsibility for their role in this session of the Executive Committee and renewed their commitment to the Pan American Health Organization, and their efforts in reaching agreement in the discussions this week emphasized the trust and value you place on us,’ he said.

The PAHO director also reiterated the importance of ensuring PAHO’s financial sustainability by urging Member States to make timely payment of their assessed contributions, noting that adequate financing is essential for the organization to deliver on the priorities established by countries through the Strategic Plan.

Barbosa called on countries to continue working together in the spirit of Pan American solidarity to address the region’s shared health challenges.

‘Today, as we bid farewell, I respectfully ask that we recommit ourselves to Pan Americanism by ensuring better health for the people of the hemisphere,’ he said on Thursday. ‘Once again, I congratulate you all on a job well done.’

PAHO said the Executive Committee is one of its governing bodies, and meets twice a year to consider technical and administrative matters and provide guidance to the Pan American Sanitary Bureau.

The recommendations and decisions adopted during the 178th Session will inform the work of the organization and contribute to discussions at the 63rd PAHO Directing Council later this year.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) says its Board of Executive Directors has approved a Policy-Based Programmatic Loan (PBP) of US$150 million to strengthen energy security in Barbados.

The Washington-based financial institution said the programme will help modernize Barbados’ electricity sector through reforms that foster a ‘more competitive, resilient, and sustainable energy market, supported by coordinated regulation and private sector participation.’

The programme will also contribute to improving system stability and reducing energy imports.

More than 135,000 electricity customers will directly benefit from the program through reduced exposure to international price fluctuations.

According to the IDB, independent power producers, lenders, and project developers will face lower investment risks and reduced financing costs.

‘The population of Barbados, as well as the broader economy, will also benefit indirectly from reduced dependence on energy imports and from progress toward achieving national energy targets,’ the IDB said.

‘The operation will accelerate the integration of new technologies into the electricity sector, and promote competitiveness and private investment in energy generation and storage,’ it added.

West Indies Women elected to field after winning the toss against Sri Lanka Women in the 17th match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup at County Ground here on Sunday.

West Indies Women have made one change with Ashmini Munisar replacing Qiana Joseph.

WEST INDIES WOMEN: Hayley Matthews (captain), Ashmini Munisar, Shemaine Campbelle, Deandra Dottin, Stafanie Taylor, Chinelle Henry, Jahzara Claxton, Jannillea Glasgow, Aaliyah Alleyne, Afy Fletcher, Karishma Ramharack.

SRI LANKA WOMEN: Chamari Athapaththu (captain), Vishmi Gunaratne, Imesha Dulani, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Sugandika Kumari, Kawya Kavindi, Nimasha Meepage, Mithali Ayodhya.

Umpires: N Janani, Shathira Jakir.

TV Umpire: Sue Redfern.

Reserve Umpire: Claire Polosak.

Incoming Chairman of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Prime Minister Gaston Browne, has called for bold action to strengthen regional integration, including the creation of a dedicated OECS airline, deeper economic cooperation, and renewed engagement with the United States.

Addressing the opening of the OECS Authority meeting as he assumed the chairmanship for the next 12 months, Browne said the sub-regional bloc must adapt to a rapidly changing global environment marked by geopolitical tensions, rising living costs, supply chain disruptions and shifting international alliances.

‘The world that we live in today is significantly different from the one 45 years ago,’ he said, arguing that small island states must deepen cooperation to protect their interests and remain relevant in an increasingly fragmented world.

A central feature of the Prime Minister’s vision is the establishment of a dedicated OECS airline to improve transportation links across the Eastern Caribbean and support trade and tourism.

He revealed that discussions are underway on a proposal that would utilize approximately US$50 million in unclaimed deposits held within the Eastern Caribbean banking system, along with potential support from European Union funding mechanisms, to launch the airline.

‘A region that cannot move its people efficiently and effectively cannot integrate commercially,’ Browne said.

He urged regional leaders to push ahead despite resistance from some government officials, arguing that previous generations had created enduring institutions such as the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank and the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority.

‘Our forebears made decisions and created institutions that are sustaining. Why can’t we, in the 21st century, with far more resources, establish a sustaining airline for the benefit of OECS people and the Caribbean region in general?’ he asked.

Browne said improved air connectivity would not only strengthen commerce and tourism within the OECS but could serve as a model for wider Caribbean integration.

The Antiguan leader also addressed recent U.S. immigration and travel policies affecting Caribbean nationals, calling for a reconsideration of restrictions that he said could damage long-standing economic and people-to-people ties.

While acknowledging the United States’ sovereign right to determine its border security policies, Browne urged Washington to take into account the historically close relationship between the Caribbean and the United States.

‘We are beneficial partners for the American economy, not adversaries to be restricted,’ he said.

Browne noted that OECS nationals regularly travel to the United States for business, education, family visits and tourism, while Caribbean consumers purchase American goods and services and contribute significantly to the U.S. economy.

He argued that restrictions on travel ultimately hurt both sides by reducing commercial activity and weakening family and cultural connections, particularly given the large Caribbean diaspora living in the United States.

At the same time, he emphasized the region’s commitment to cooperation with the United States on security matters, including combating drug trafficking and organized crime.

‘We share the United States’ commitment to security, to the rule of law, and transparent governance,’ he said, adding that stronger trade, travel and people-to-people links would benefit both regions.

Browne also raised concerns about U.S. requests for Caribbean countries to accept third-country deportees, saying Antigua and Barbuda had resisted proposals that could place undue burdens on small island states.

He disclosed that Antigua and Barbuda had proposed accepting no more than 10 deportees annually and stressed that the country would not accept individuals with serious criminal backgrounds.

‘We want to be cooperative, but we must protect our country and our people,’ he said.

The incoming chairman urged OECS countries to strengthen economic ties with Latin America, arguing that the region has not fully capitalized on opportunities presented by its Spanish-speaking neighbours.

He pointed to Central America and Panama as potential partners for food security initiatives and supply chain diversification, noting that Caribbean countries import the vast majority of the food they consume.

Browne suggested that stronger sourcing partnerships and the use of Panama as a regional logistics hub could help reduce food costs and improve resilience against external shocks.

The Antiguan prime minister also called for greater regional collaboration on renewable energy projects, particularly geothermal development.

He revealed that Antigua and Barbuda has been exploring opportunities to invest in geothermal energy projects in neighboring islands, including St. Kitts and Nevis, with a long-term vision of supplying clean energy across the sub-region through interconnected infrastructure.

Such investments, he said, would reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, lower electricity costs and improve regional competitiveness.

Browne further urged OECS countries to place greater emphasis on the blue economy, noting that the sub-region controls approximately 500,000 square kilometres of ocean space.

‘We are not necessarily small island developing states. We are large ocean states,’ he said.

He called for the OECS Commission to develop a regional blue economy investment portfolio within six months, identifying bankable projects that could attract public and private investment.

He also announced plans to seek reforms within the OECS Commission itself, calling for a leaner, faster and more effective institution capable of delivering better results for citizens.

He said he had already discussed the matter with OECS Director General Didacus Jules and would be requesting a formal reform plan aimed at reducing costs and improving service delivery.

Reflecting on the OECS’s 45th anniversary, the incoming chairman said the organization had demonstrated that shared institutions can work and remain critical to the survival and prosperity of small states.

‘When we deepen integration, we are not surrendering sovereignty; we are actually pooling it,’ he said.

He urged regional leaders to embrace ambitious solutions and collective action, saying unity offered the best path toward resilience, economic growth and greater influence on the global stage.

‘In unity there is not just strength,’ Browne said. ‘There is relevance, leverage and the capacity to shape our destiny rather than have it shaped for us by larger external forces.’

Pacers Nial Smith and Alzarri Joseph ran through Sri Lanka’s batting lineup to lead a West Indies Select XI to an unbelievable 15-run comeback victory at the Coolidge Cricket Ground here on Sunday.

The duo shared nine wickets between them as Sri Lanka, resuming the fourth and final day of play on 30 for one in pursuit of 124, were skittled out for 108 in 29.5 overs.

Sri Lanka seemed on track for an expected win with Nishan Madushka and Dinesh Chandimal at the crease and the score 46 for one.

But the game took a sudden turn after Smith trapped Chandimal lbw for 19 and then bowled Madushka for 30 to leave them 60 for three.

He followed up by having Dhananjaya de Silva caught behind for one before Joseph joined the demolition by bowling Pasindu Sooriyabandara, while Ojay Shields accounted for the wicket of Sonal Dinusha for four, to leave Sri Lanka in a spot of bother at 68 for six.

Sri Lanka were still favourites to win when Prabath Jayasuriya and Milan Rathnayake carried the score to 89 for six.

However, that advantage disappeared when Smith held on to a return catch to dismiss Jayasuriya for 10 and Joseph bowled Rathnayake for six to reduce them to 93 for eight.

The duo then wrapped up the contest by dismissing Vishwa Fernando and Lahiru Kumara in quick succession to complete a stunning victory.

Smith led the way with 5-30, while Joseph snared 4-41.

West Indies Women’s skipper Hayley Matthews turned in her best-ever bowling figures at a World Cup to set up her side’s comfortable five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka here on Sunday and remain unbeaten at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

Opening the bowling, Matthews grabbed three wickets in her first two overs and Sri Lanka never recovered to be eventually bowled out for 98 in 19.4 overs after being sent in to bat at County Ground.

The Windies weren’t the most clinical in their run chase, but aided by some shoddy fielding by their opponents they romped to 99 for five with 23 balls remaining to register their third win in as many matches.

Matthews began her destructive spell of spin bowling in the first over of the match by stretching to hold on to a spectacular left-handed return catch to dismiss Vishmi Gunaratne with two runs on the board.

And in her next over, she bowled Sri Lanka’s captain Chamari Athapaththu for two and had Harshitha Samarawickrama caught at point in the space of three deliveries to see them slump to nine for three.

Imesha Dulani scored three boundaries in her knock of 17, but perished after picking out Jannillea Glasgow at mid-on as she tried to hit pacer Chinelle Henry over the infield to make the score 23 for four in the sixth over. Kavisha Dilhari and Nilakshika Silva briefly stemmed the flow of wickets during a 34-run partnership, but once pacer Aaliyah Alleyne held on to a return catch to dismiss Dilhari for 21, normalcy returned as two balls later Kaushini Nuthyangana was trapped lbw by Ashmini Munisar for a duck, as Sri Lanka slipped to 58 for six.

With the score 81 for six, Silva, who topscored with 30 off 26 balls, hit a delivery from Afy Fletcher straight down the throat of Deandra Dottin at deep backward square and Sri Lanka’s innings capitulated quickly thereafter, as they lost their last four wickets for 17 runs.

Player-of-the-Match Matthews finished with 3-15, while Karishma Ramharack took 2-15.

Faced with a straightforward run chase, Matthews and Dottin put on 28 runs in four overs, before the former was run out for 17 by a direct hit from Silva at mid-on attempting a run that was never on.

Dottin’s struggles with the bat at the World Cup continued when she was dismissed by Nimasha Meepage after scoring just 12 from 16 balls to make the score 36 for two.

Shemaine Campbelle was dropped by wicketkeeper Nimasha Meepage on a duck, but the missed chance didn’t prove costly as she was dismissed for four by Athapaththu.

However, veteran Stafanie Taylor anchored the innings in an unbeaten knock of 27 off 25 balls, and despite losing the wickets of Jahzara Claxton for six and Henry for a duck to be 70 for five, the West Indies Women were never in serious danger of losing the contest.

Taylor found a reliable partner in Glasgow, with the two sharing an unbroken partnership of 29 to see their side over the line.

They will face fellow unbeaten side England in a top-of-the-table clash at Lord’s on Wednesday.

Sri Lanka Women reached 98 in 19.4 overs against the West Indies in the 17th match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup at County Ground here on Sunday.

SRI LANKA WOMEN 98 in 19.4 overs (Nilakshika Silva 30, Kavisha Dilhari 21, Imesha Dulani 17, Kawya Kavindi 17; Hayley Matthews 3-15, Karishma Ramharack 2-15).

Kieron Pollard is now the highest run scorer in T20 cricket after passing his former West Indies teammate Chris Gayle while competing in Major League Cricket (MLC) on Saturday.

The 39-year-old scored an unbeaten, even century for MI New York in a losing cause against the Washington Freedom at Grand Prairie Stadium.

Pollard reached the milestone in spectacular fashion by launching Asif Mehmood over long-off for six to go from 79 to 85 and carry his tally to 14,567 runs, overtaking Gayle’s 12-year record of 14, 562 runs in the process.

His unbeaten century – his second in T20s – carried him to 14, 582 runs in his 736th match at a strike rate of 151.12.

Only 22 of Pollard’s 653 T20 innings have come from higher than No. 4, while 286 innings have come while batting at 6 and 7 combined. Speaking on his achievement, Pollard said he was honoured to have broken the record as a middle-order batsman.

He said surpassing Gayle, widely known as the ‘Universe Boss’, was a special feeling.

‘Surpassing Chris Gayle, someone we looked up to in the West Indies over a period of time, is special. He has done great things in all formats of cricket, so again, sorry Universe Boss, but we are both at the top there.

‘Having said that, batting at No. 6 or 7 is very difficult. Somebody needs to do the dirty work, though, and while everyone rushes to bat at the top of the order, a cricket match involves 11 people, and everyone has a role to play,’ Pollard said.

‘I guess my role over time was to finish matches, and I embraced that. Once you embrace the challenge and practice for it, good things come.’

Pollard said while milestones had been far from his mind when he started, there was satisfaction in seeing how T20 had changed the sport after the likes of himself, Gayle and Dwayne Bravo faced ‘ridicule’ for opting to prioritise the format.

‘I’d be lying if I said that [scoring this number of runs was on my mind]. But what I’m proud of, individually and with all those other guys like Chris, is that we took a leap of faith and we got ridiculed a lot for it,’ Pollard said.

‘Now you live to see guys at a young age even retiring from international cricket to play franchise cricket because again cricket is not just a sport anymore; it’s a business.

‘One thing I’ve understood in life about human beings is that when you do something different, change is something we’re not really accustomed to. I’m happy that I’ve lived the day to see it, and I hope everyone who criticised us over the years can sit back and say, ‘Cheers’. We don’t need a sorry. Respect each and every format of the game, but understand that just like technology, everything is changing,’ he added.

Scoreboard of the 17th match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup between West Indies Women and Sri Lanka Women at County Ground here on Sunday.

SRI LANKA WOMEN

Vishmi Gunaratne c and b Matthews 1

*Chamari Athapaththu b Matthews 2

Imesha Dulani c Glasgow b Henry 17

Harshitha Samarawickrama c Claxton b Matthews 0

Kavisha Dilhari c and b Alleyne 21

Nilakshika Silva c Dottin b Fletcher 30

+Kaushini Nuthyangana lbw b Munisar 0

Kawya Kavindi st +Campbelle b Ramharack 17

Sugandika Kumari st +Campbelle b Ramharack 2

Mithali Ayodhya run out 3

Nimasha Meepage not out 1

Extras (b1, nb2, w1) 4

TOTAL (all out; 19.4 overs) 98

Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-9, 3-9, 4-23, 5-57, 6-58, 7-81, 8-87, 9-96, 10-98.

Bowling: Matthews 4-0-15-3, Henry 3-0-12-1, Fletcher 4-0-24-1, Alleyne 2-0-15-1, Munisar 4-0-16-1, Ramharack 2.4-0-15-2.

WEST INDIES WOMEN

*Hayley Matthews run out 17

Deandra Dottin c Kumari b Meepage 12

+Shemaine Campbelle c +Nuthyangana b Athapaththu 4

Stafanie Taylor not out 27

Jahzara Claxton c Gunaratne b Dilhari 6

Chinelle Henry b Dilhari 0

Jannillea Glasgow not out 10

Extras (b8, lb1, nb1, w13) 23

TOTAL (five wickets; 16.1 overs) 99

Did not bat: Aaliyah Alleyne, Afy Fletcher, Karishma Ramharack, Ashmini Munisar.

Fall of wickets: 1-28, 2-36, 3-54, 4-69, 5-70.

Bowling: Ayodhya 3-0-7-0, Meepage 3-0-18-1, Kumari 2-0-18-0, Kavindi 1.1-0-12-0, Dilhari 4-0-22-2, Athapaththu 3-0-13-1.

Toss: West Indies Women elected to field.

Player-of-the-Match: Hayley Matthews.

Result: West Indies Women won by five wickets.

Umpires: N Janani, Shathira Jakir.

TV Umpire: Sue Redfern.

Reserve Umpire: Claire Polosak.

Match Referee: Shandre Fritz.