TRINIDAD (SNP Report): Pakistan began their three-match ODI series against the West Indies with a commanding five-wicket win at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba on Friday.
The victory came thanks to half-centuries from captain Mohammad Rizwan and debutant Hassan Nawaz alongside a steady contribution from Babar Azam and Hussain Talat. Chasing 281, Pakistan endured an early setback when opener Saim Ayub was removed for just five runs by Jayden Seales in the third over, leaving the visitors at 16-1.
Abdullah Shafique joined Babar Azam to add 47 runs for the second wicket, showing composure in the chase. However, Shafique’s knock of 29 off 33 balls — featuring three fours and a six — came to an end, making it 63-2.
Babar and Rizwan then built a solid 55-run stand for the third wicket, keeping Pakistan in control. Babar, eyeing a half-century, fell three runs short when he was stumped off Gudakesh Motie for 47 (64 balls, five fours, one six), leaving Pakistan at 118-3 in the 24th over.
Salman Ali Agha chipped in with 23 off 26 balls before being dismissed by Roston Chase. Rizwan, undeterred, reached his 16th ODI fifty in the company of debutant Hassan Nawaz.
Their partnership added 22 before Shamar Joseph struck, removing Rizwan for 53 off 69 balls (four boundaries) with the score at 180-5 in the 37.2 over. From there, Hassan Nawaz and all-rounder Hussain Talat steadied the innings with a composed, unbeaten 104-run stand for the sixth wicket.
Hassan brought up his maiden ODI fifty in fortuitous fashion when Motie dropped a catch at slip, eventually finishing unbeaten on 63 off 54 balls (five fours, three sixes). Talat supported him with 41* off 37 balls (four fours, one six) as Pakistan crossed the target in 48.5 overs.
Earlier, West Indies, batting first, lost Brandon King for four in the opening over to Shaheen Afridi. Evin Lewis and Keacy Carty then rebuilt with a 50-run stand, but Lewis fell to Saim Ayub after making 60 off 62 balls (five fours, three sixes). Skipper Shai Hope anchored the innings with 55 off 77 balls, sharing a 64-run stand with Chase.
Chase compiled a well-made 53 off 54 balls before falling to Naseem Shah, while Gudakesh Motie provided late fireworks with 31 off 18 balls (three fours, two sixes), helping the hosts reach 280 before being bowled out in the 49th over.
Afridi was the pick of the bowlers with 4-51 from eight overs, while Naseem Shah claimed 3-55. Saim Ayub, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Salman Ali Agha chipped in with a wicket each. With this victory, Pakistan take a 1-0 lead in the series, with the second ODI set to be played on Sunday.
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