Toss Decision Sets The Scene
In the opening clash of the West Indies-Pakistan T20I series held in Lauderhill, West Indies skipper Shai Hope won the toss and elected to bowl first under lights, citing expected dew and skiddy conditions as key factors. Pakistan, put into bat, capitalized on the opportunity and posted a competitive total of 178 for six, setting the stage for an exciting contest.
Pakistan’s Batting Gave Them a Solid Base
Pakistan openers got going early Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman put on a good start. Ayub in particular stood out scoring 57 off 38 balls and gave them momentum in the powerplay. Later Hasan Nawaz chipped in with some fireworks 24 off 18 before he was dismissed by Akeal Hosein. Faheem Ashraf added a handy 15 towards the end and Haris Mohammed sealed the innings with a six off the last ball taking them to 178‑7.
West Indies Chased in Front of Home‑Crowd Hopes
West Indies began their chase strongly in the West Indies-Pakistan T20I, with Johnson Charles and Jewel Andrew building an impressive 72-run opening stand. The pair looked well set to hunt down the target with ease. However, the momentum shifted dramatically when Mohammad Nawaz entered the attack. In a game-changing over, Nawaz claimed a sensational hat-trick, dismantling the middle order and throwing West Indies’ chase into disarray.
Nawaz Sparked a Collapse
After the stand of 72 West Indies slumped losing five wickets quickly nearly twenty runs added in that phase. Nawaz was fiery his three‑for in that over was the turning point. West Indies eventually ended at 164‑7 falling 14 runs short as Pakistan took the win and lead the series 1‑0.
Key Performers on Both Sides
- Saim Ayub played a starring role with fifty and held Pakistan together in the chase also chipped in with crucial wicket or two.
- Mohammad Nawaz turned the match with his three wicket over setting up Pakistan’s victory.
- For West Indies Shamar Joseph took three wickets too but lacked sufficient support to stop the chase.
What This Means for the Series
Latest News: Pakistan now hold a narrow 1–0 lead in the three‑match West Indies‑Pakistan T20I series. With two games remaining, the visitors will aim to carry forward their momentum. On the other hand, West Indies must regroup, especially in the batting department, which faltered after a solid start. The pitches in Florida typically favor batters early on, but the evening dew may again tilt the balance toward bowling, making the toss a critical factor in the remaining matches.
