Key points
- Pakistan post 178-7 after steady batting effort
- Windies collapse from 72-0 to 75-3
- Pakistan seal 14-run win, lead series 1-0
ISLAMABAD: A composed all-round display from Saim Ayub, coupled with a match-turning spell by Mohammad Nawaz, guided Pakistan to a 14-run victory over the West Indies in the opening T20I of the three-match series at Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground on Friday.
Chasing a challenging target of 179, the West Indies were restricted to 164-7, despite a promising start from their openers.
💚Green shirts take the lead! 💪
🇵🇰 #Pakistan win the first T20I of the 3-match series vs #WestIndies in Lauderhill, USA 🏏#WIvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/zJZAk0OrX0
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 1, 2025
Jewel Andrew and Johnson Charles came out aggressively, taking the score to 47 without loss by the end of the power play.
The pair shared a 72-run opening partnership, reaching their fifty stand in the seventh over, showing a blend of aggression and control.
However, the game swung dramatically in the 12th over when Mohammad Nawaz ripped through the top order, claiming three wickets in the over and reducing the hosts from 72-0 to 75-3.
Golden duck
Jewel Andrew was the first to go for 35 off 33 deliveries, followed by Charles, who made 35 off 36. Gudakesh Motie was dismissed for a golden duck.
The collapse deepened in the next over when part-time bowler Saim Ayub struck with his very first delivery, removing West Indies skipper Shai Hope for just two runs. The home side slumped to 77-4 by the 13th over.
🌟 Man of the Match 🌟@SaimAyub7 bags the award 🏅 for a superb all-round show — 57 runs with the bat & 2/20 with the ball 🔥#WIvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/ERA2u2L4Zt
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 1, 2025
Saim struck again shortly after, dismissing Sherfane Rutherford (11 off 11), heaping further pressure on the hosts. Left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi then removed Roston Chase for five in the 16th over, leaving the West Indies reeling at 110-6.
Sufiyan Muqeem also contributed with a wicket, clean bowling Romario Shepherd (12 off 5) to inflict the seventh blow.
Jason Holder battled valiantly, keeping West Indies in the contest with a quick-fire 30* off just 12 balls, while Shamar Joseph chipped in with a handy 21.
Sixth successive T20I defeat
However, the required run rate proved too steep, and the home side fell short, recording their sixth successive T20I defeat after being whitewashed 5-0 by Australia.
🎯 Bowlers strike back!
Pakistan 🇵🇰 push West Indies to 84/4 in 14 overs💪#WIvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/2FVlyQYX5N
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 1, 2025
For Pakistan, Nawaz was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3 for 23 from his four overs, while Saim Ayub impressed with 2 for 15. Afridi and Muqeem claimed a wicket apiece.
Earlier, after being put in to bat, Pakistan made a steady start. Openers Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub added 26 before Farhan was dismissed for 14 off 12 in Shamar Joseph’s debut over.
Saim anchored the innings confidently, receiving solid support from Fakhar Zaman, who played aggressively from the outset. The pair added 55 for the second wicket, taking Pakistan to 70-1 at the halfway stage.
Saim brought up his second T20I half-century with a stylish knock and helped his side cross the 100-run mark. He scored 57 off 38 balls, including five fours and two sixes, before being dismissed by Jason Holder in the 12th over, ending an 81-run partnership.
Fakhar’s dismissal
Just one run later, Fakhar (28 off 24) fell to Shamar Joseph, who finished with notable figures of 3 for 35.
Hassan Nawaz kept the momentum going with a brisk 24 off 18 deliveries, including a four and two sixes, before being dismissed by Akeal Hosein. Mohammad Nawaz made 8 off 6 before Romario Shepherd sent him back.
Captain Salman Ali Agha and Faheem Ashraf chipped in with vital runs towards the end. Faheem scored 15, while Agha remained unbeaten on 11.
First innings done!
Pakistan 🇵🇰 set a target of 179 for West Indies after solid batting in Lauderhill, Florida 🇺🇸#WIvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/Y8HdFxyasw
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 1, 2025
Wicketkeeper Mohammad Haris provided the final flourish, smashing the last ball of the innings for six to take Pakistan’s total to 178-7.
With this win, Pakistan take a 1-0 lead in the series, with the second T20I scheduled for Sunday.
