Nawaz's three-wicket over leads Pakistan to a 14-run win over West Indies.
Pakistan kicked off their T20 series against West Indies with a thrilling 14-run win in Lauderhill, Florida, on Thursday. The star of the night was Mohammad Nawaz, who turned the game around with a brilliant three-wicket over that stunned the Caribbean side.
Pakistan Posts Competitive Total with Saim Ayub's Heroics
Batting first after being sent in, Pakistan put up 178/6 on the board. The total was driven by an impressive knock from Saim Ayub, who smashed 57 runs from just 38 balls. He struck five fours and two sixes, setting the tone for Pakistan’s innings.
Ayub was well supported by Fakhar Zaman, who added 28 runs in a quick-fire 81-run second-wicket partnership. The momentum was strong until Jason Holder removed Ayub via lbw in the 12th over.
West Indies’ bowling saw a standout performance from returning pacer Shamar Joseph, who kept Pakistan in check with figures of 3-30 from his four overs.
West Indies Begin Steady, but Nawaz Changes the Game
Chasing 179, West Indies got off to a cautious but steady start. Openers Johnson Charles and 18-year-old debutant Jewel Andrew shared a solid 72-run opening stand. At the halfway mark, they looked on track, scoring at just over six runs per over.
Then came the turning point.
In the 12th over, Nawaz delivered a match-defining spell. First, he removed Andrew for 35. Then, in quick succession, Charles (35) and Gudakesh Motie (0) fell to Nawaz, completing a stunning three-wicket over. West Indies collapsed from 72-0 to 75-3 in the blink of an eye.
Ayub followed up in the next over by dismissing West Indies captain Shai Hope for just 2, making it four wickets down for just five runs.
Tailenders Fight Back but Fall Short
Despite the middle-order collapse, West Indies' lower order showed some resistance. Jason Holder brought life back to the chase with a blistering 30 not out off only 12 balls, including four towering sixes. Shamar Joseph chipped in with a quick 21 from 12 balls.
But the damage was already done. West Indies could only reach 164-7 by the end of 20 overs, falling 14 runs short.
Ayub Shines with Bat and Ball
Saim Ayub was deservedly named Player of the Match for his all-round performance. In addition to his half-century, he picked up 2-20 with the ball.
Speaking after the game, Ayub noted that the pitch was challenging. He stressed the importance of building partnerships and keeping calm under pressure.
Pakistan Starts Strong, Eyes Series Win
Captain Salman Ali Agha praised his team’s complete performance. “We started strong and finished even better,” he said after the match.
The win comes as a morale boost for Pakistan, especially after West Indies’ recent 8-0 series whitewash by Australia across formats. With confidence high, Pakistan now aims to seal the series in the upcoming matches.
What’s Next in the Pakistan vs West Indies Series?
The second and third T20Is are scheduled in Lauderhill on Saturday and Sunday. After the T20 series, the two teams will head to the Caribbean for a three-match ODI series.
With momentum on their side, Pakistan will look to carry this winning form into the weekend. Meanwhile, West Indies must regroup quickly to avoid another series defeat on home turf.
