Lauderhill (SNP Report): Pakistan opened their T20I series campaign against the West Indies in style, clinching a convincing 14-run victory in the first match held at the Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida on Thursday.
Set a target of 179, the West Indies appeared well-positioned early on, thanks to a steady 72-run opening stand between Johnson Charles and debutant Jewel Andrew. However, their cautious approach—stretching across 67 deliveries—allowed the required run rate to creep upward, leaving them with a daunting task in the latter overs.
The turning point arrived in the 12th over, when left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz, bowling his final over of the spell, triggered a collapse that the hosts never recovered from. Nawaz scalped three wickets in the space of six deliveries, dismissing Andrew (35 off 33), Charles (35 off 36), and promoted tailender Gudakesh Motie for a golden duck.
Adding to West Indies’ woes, part-time off-spinner Saim Ayub delivered two crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs. He removed captain Shai Hope (2) and Sherfane Rutherford (13) in consecutive overs, reducing the Windies to 114-7 by the 17th over and leaving them needing 65 off the final 18 balls.
Despite a late blitz from Jason Holder (30* off 12) and Shamar Joseph (21* off 12), the damage had been done. Pakistan’s disciplined bowling and strategic field placements ensured the West Indies fell short, closing on 164-7.
Nawaz finished with match-winning figures of 3 for 23 in his four overs, while Saim Ayub returned an impressive 2 for 20. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sufiyan Muqeem chipped in with a wicket apiece to round off a strong bowling performance from the visitors.
Earlier, after being asked to bat first, Pakistan posted a competitive total of 178-6, built around a stylish half-century from young opener Saim Ayub. The left-hander looked in sublime touch, compiling a 38-ball 57 laced with five boundaries and two sixes—his second T20I fifty.
Saim shared an 81-run partnership with Fakhar Zaman (28 off 24), which stabilized the innings after the early dismissal of Sahibzada Farhan (14), who was undone by a fiery Shamar Joseph delivery in the third over.
Once Saim fell to Jason Holder in the 12th over and Fakhar followed shortly after, Pakistan’s innings briefly wavered. However, brisk cameos from Hassan Nawaz (24 off 18), Faheem Ashraf (16 off 9), and skipper Agha Salman (11* off 7) lifted the final total close to the 180-mark.
For the West Indies, pacer Shamar Joseph stood out with the ball, picking up 3 for 30 in his four overs. Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, and Romario Shepherd each claimed a wicket, but their bowling unit lacked penetration during the crucial middle overs.
The win gives Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series, with the second match scheduled to be played at the same venue on August 3.
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