Saim Ayub and Nawaz star in Pakistan’s win over West Indies in first T20I

LAUDERHILL: A composed all-round display from Saim Ayub, backed by a game-changing spell from Mohammad Nawaz, propelled Pakistan to a 14-run triumph over the West Indies in the opening T20I of the three-match series at Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground on Friday.

Set a challenging target of 179, the West Indies could only manage 164-7 despite a bright start from their openers.

Making his debut, Jewel Andrew, alongside Johnson Charles, launched the innings aggressively, guiding the hosts to 47 without loss by the end of the powerplay.

The pair put on a solid 72-run opening stand, reaching their fifty partnership in the seventh over with a measured yet attacking approach.

However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the 12th over when Mohammad Nawaz ripped through the top order, snaring three wickets in one over to drag the West Indies from 72-0 to 75-3.

Andrew was the first to depart for 35 off 33 balls, followed swiftly by Charles, who made 35 from 36 deliveries. Gudakesh Motie fell for a golden duck, compounding the collapse.

The slide continued when part-time bowler Saim Ayub struck with his very first ball, removing Windies skipper Shai Hope for just two runs to leave the hosts struggling at 77-4 by the 13th over.

Saim struck again soon after, dismissing Sherfane Rutherford (11 off 11) to tighten Pakistan’s grip. Shaheen Shah Afridi then joined the party in the 16th over, removing Roston Chase for five runs, reducing the hosts to 110-6.

Sufiyan Muqeem added to the woes by bowling Romario Shepherd (12 off 5), claiming the seventh scalp.

Jason Holder kept the chase alive with a fighting unbeaten 30 from just 12 balls, supported by Shamar Joseph’s handy 21. But the required run rate soared beyond reach, handing the West Indies their sixth straight T20I loss after being swept 5-0 by Australia.

For Pakistan, Nawaz starred with 3 for 23 from four tidy overs, while Saim returned 2 for 15. Afridi and Muqeem chipped in with a wicket each.

Earlier, after being asked to bat first, Pakistan’s openers got them off to a steady start. Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan put on 26 before Farhan fell for 14 off 12, caught out by debutant Shamar Joseph in his first over.

Saim then took charge of the innings with a composed knock, finding an able partner in Fakhar Zaman, who played aggressively from the outset. The duo added 55 for the second wicket and took Pakistan to 70-1 at the halfway stage.

Saim reached his second T20I fifty with confident strokeplay, helping his side cross the 100 mark. His valuable 57 off 38 balls, laced with five fours and two sixes, came to an end in the 12th over when Jason Holder removed him, breaking an 81-run partnership.

A run later, Fakhar (28 off 24) fell to Joseph, who wrapped up with notable figures of 3 for 35.

Hassan Nawaz kept the scoreboard ticking with a quick 24 off 18, striking a four and two sixes before Akeal Hosein got his wicket. Mohammad Nawaz contributed 8 from 6 balls but was dismissed by Romario Shepherd.

In the closing overs, captain Salman Ali Agha and Faheem Ashraf added crucial runs. Faheem chipped in with 15, while Agha stayed unbeaten on 11.

Wicketkeeper Mohammad Haris gave the innings a late lift, smashing the final ball of the innings for six to push Pakistan’s total to 178-7.

The win gives Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the series, with the second T20I set to be played on Sunday.