Pakistan continued their T20 dominance over the West Indies, securing a 14-run victory in their opening T20 international. The match, played in Lauderhill, Florida, saw Pakistan's spin bowlers wreak havoc on the Windies' batting lineup, extending their miserable run in the format.
Spin Magic Seals the Deal
The Pakistani spin attack proved too much for the West Indies, effectively stifling their chase of 179. Saim Ayub's impressive half-century (57) set the stage for Pakistan, with valuable contributions from Faheem Ashraf and Hasan Nawaz further bolstering the score. A late six from Mohammad Haris added the finishing touch, propelling Pakistan to a competitive total.
Windies Struggle to Find Momentum
The West Indies struggled to build momentum throughout their innings. Mohammad Nawaz played a crucial role, dismissing both Johnson Charles and the young debutant Jewel Andrew (who became the youngest West Indian to debut in T20Is) for 35 runs each. This early setback hampered the Windies' chase, ultimately leading to their sixth consecutive T20 defeat, following a 5-0 whitewash against Australia at home.
- Saim Ayub shines with a half-century.
- Pakistani spinners dominate the middle overs.
- Jewel Andrew becomes the youngest West Indies T20I debutant.
The two teams will face off again in Lauderhill for the second T20 international on Saturday, followed by a three-match ODI series in Tarouba. Can the West Indies bounce back, or will Pakistan continue their winning streak?