The West Indies defeated Ireland by 165 runs while Sri Lanka beat the Netherlands by 50 runs on day two of the ICC Women's Cricket Challenge in Potchefstroom, South Africa on Thursday..

The West Indies, electing to bat first, collected 275-6 with Stafanie Taylor and Deandra Dottin each scoring 72 runs apiece. Taylor struck six fours in her 94-ball knock while Dottin clubbed five fours and a six in her 59-ball innings. Merissa Aguilleira was the other notable run-getter with 44 off 62 balls with three fours and a six.

Ireland, in its target chase, was bowled out for 110 in 41 overs after a 66-run first wicket stand between Clare Shillington and Cecelia Joyce. Shanel Daley was the pick of the West Indies bowlers with 4-29 while Anisa Mohammed took 3-13 and Taylor, who was later declared player of the match, bagged 2-15.

Sri Lanka came back strongly after its defeat against South Africa on Wednesday, beating the Netherlands by 50 runs.

Sri Lanka batted first and scored 245-8 in 50 overs with Suvini de Alwis finishing as the top scorer with 73. In turn, the Dutch girls were restricted to 195-8 in 50 overs.

In the other match, South Africa wicketkeeper/batter Trisha Chetty scored an unbeaten half-century to lead her side to an emphatic seven-wicket win over Pakistan on day two of the ICC Women's Cricket Challenge in Potchefstroom, South Africa on Thursday.

The Durbanite returned unbeaten on 60 from 84 balls as the home side achieved the victory target of 124 runs with more than 19 overs to spare.

The hosts seem to have gotten their combinations right when they won the toss and put Pakistan into bat. The early loss of both the openers placed unnecessary pressure on the Pakistani middle-order and made it difficult for them to find balance throughout the match.

Nain Abidi did her best to hold the innings together but the loss of partners at regular intervals meant she could not construct a good partnership. She top scored with 30 and turned out to be the only batter to cross the 20-mark. She fell to the bowling of Dane van Niekerk.

Sunette Loubser was the pick of South Africa bowlers, taking three wickets for just 19 runs. She was well supported by Shabnum Ismail (2-16) and Dane van Niekerk (2-30) as Pakistan was bowled out for 123 in 40.3 overs.

Chasing a modest target, South Africa got off to a solid start when Shandre Fritz and Chetty put on 46 runs for the first wicket before Fritz departed in the 11th over. South Africa, in the 18th over, lost captain Cri-Zelda Brits at the score of 72. Mignon du Preez was the third South Africa batter to be dismissed when she departed in the 27th over with her side requiring just five runs for victory.

Chetty's 84-ball 60 included seven fours while du Preez scored 27 and Brits 13.

South Africa coach Yashin Ebrahim was happy with his team's performance, but still sees room for improvement. “We were clinical with the bat (but) I feel we lost one wicket too many but we'll take the win. Trisha batted superbly, it's no wonder she was player of the match. We need to work on our catching and dominating in the first 10 overs with the bat.”

The tournament will resume on Saturday after Friday's rest day.