Pakistan Clinch 7-Wicket Win Over West Indies in 1st T20I: Saim Ayub, Afridi Shine in Lauderhill
Pakistan vs West Indies, 1st T20I – Match Report
Lauderhill, Florida: The T20I series between Pakistan and West Indies got off to a competitive start at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida. With both teams seeking redemption—Pakistan after a 1-2 loss to Bangladesh, and West Indies following a 0-5 drubbing by Australia—the opening match delivered moments of intensity and individual brilliance.
Match Summary
Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, Pakistan capitalized on the early conditions. The West Indies managed 142/7 in their allotted 20 overs, led by a fluent 45 off 32 balls from captain Shai Hope. Romario Shepherd added late impetus with a 15-ball 28, but the innings never gained full momentum, thanks to disciplined bowling by Pakistan.
Shaheen Shah Afridi (3/24) made a strong comeback with vital early breakthroughs, while Haris Rauf (2/19) stifled the middle order with pace and accuracy.
In reply, Pakistan chased down the target with 7 balls to spare, reaching 143/3 in 18.5 overs. Saim Ayub played a mature knock of 52 off 41 balls, anchoring the innings after early hiccups. Hasan Nawaz’s aggressive 34 off just 19 deliveries proved decisive, as Pakistan secured a 7-wicket win. Salman Ali Agha remained unbeaten on 22 to guide the chase home.
Top Performers
Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan): The left-arm pacer returned to form with 3/24, including key scalps of Evin Lewis and Keacy Carty.
Saim Ayub (Pakistan): Calm under pressure, his 52 (5 fours, 1 six) laid the foundation for a successful chase. He was adjudged Player of the Match.
Shai Hope (West Indies): The skipper provided early stability with his 45, but his dismissal sparked a collapse.
Haris Rauf (Pakistan): Controlled the game during crucial overs, finishing with figures of 2/19.
Key Talking Points
1. Pakistan’s Bowling Resurgence
The return of Shaheen and Rauf gave Pakistan a cutting edge with the ball. Spinners Abrar Ahmed and Sufyan Muqim also made valuable contributions, highlighting the depth in the bowling department.
2. West Indies’ Middle-Order Collapse
From 88/2, the Windies stumbled to 118/6—losing four wickets for just 30 runs. The inconsistency that plagued them against Australia continues to be a concern.
3. Hasan Nawaz – A Rising Star
The young Pakistani batter impressed with a fearless 34 off 19, showcasing his potential to be a future mainstay in the middle order.
Captains’ Remarks
Salman Ali Agha (Pakistan):
“We executed our plans well. The bowlers set it up, and Saim’s knock gave us control in the chase. It’s a good start to the series, and we want to build on this momentum.”
Shai Hope (West Indies):
“We fell short by 10-15 runs. Credit to Pakistan for their execution. We need to be more clinical with the bat and improve our discipline with the ball.”
The second T20I will be held at the same venue on August 3, 2025, starting at 5:30 AM IST. West Indies will be eager to bounce back and keep the series alive, while Pakistan will aim for an early series win.
Squads
Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha (c), Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Khushdil Shah, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, Sufyan Muqim, Abrar Ahmed.
West Indies: Shai Hope (c/wk), Keacy Carty, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Jediah Blades, Evin Lewis, Roston Chase, Jewel Andrew, Rovman Powell, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph, Alick Athanaze, Johnson Charles.
