Pakistan beat West Indies by 14 runs in opening T20I 

Lauderhill (Web Desk): Pakistan opened their T20I series against the West Indies with a gritty 14-run win in Florida, riding on a composed all-round effort from Saim Ayub and a match-defining bowling burst by Mohammad Nawaz.

It was a contest that swung dramatically after a promising start from the home side, but Pakistan's disciplined bowling closed the door when it mattered most.

Chasing 179 under the lights at Central Broward Regional Park, the West Indies looked to be in control early on. Debutant Jewel Andrew and seasoned campaigner Johnson Charles launched into the chase with intent, taking their side to 47 without loss by the end of the powerplay.

The opening pair stitched together 72 runs with an attacking-yet-composed partnership, bringing up their fifty-run stand in just the seventh over.

But momentum flipped sharply in the 12th over. Mohammad Nawaz, who had been held back until then, changed the complexion of the game in a span of six deliveries. He picked up three wickets in that over—first removing Andrew for 35 off 33, then sending back Charles for 35 off 36, and finally trapping Gudakesh Motie for a golden duck. The scoreboard, which had read 72 without loss, suddenly crumbled to 75 for three.

Saim Ayub, fresh off his half-century, made an immediate impact with the ball as well. Bowling his very first delivery, the part-time spinner outfoxed West Indies captain Shai Hope for just two runs, further deepening the crisis. Saim struck again soon after, getting rid of Sherfane Rutherford, who managed 11 from as many balls. When Shaheen Afridi dismissed Roston Chase in the 16th over, the hosts were reeling at 110 for six.

Romario Shepherd gave a brief flash of resistance with a quickfire 12, but was bowled by Sufiyan Muqeem, leaving the Windies needing a miracle. Jason Holder provided late fireworks with an unbeaten 30 off only 12 balls, including some fierce strokes that kept the outcome in suspense. Shamar Joseph chipped in with 21, but the rising asking rate proved insurmountable as the hosts ran out of time, closing at 164 for seven.

Earlier, Pakistan were asked to bat first and built their innings on Saim Ayub’s steady hand at the top. Alongside Sahibzada Farhan, he put up 26 before Farhan was dismissed for 14 off 12 by debutant Shamar Joseph. Saim then found solid support in Fakhar Zaman, and the pair combined for an 81-run stand that propelled Pakistan to a strong position at the halfway mark.

Saim’s knock—57 off 38 deliveries with five boundaries and two sixes—formed the backbone of Pakistan’s total. His stay ended in the 12th over when Jason Holder broke through, and Fakhar fell just one run later to Shamar Joseph, who went on to finish with impressive figures of three for 35.

Hassan Nawaz continued the aggression with a 24-run cameo from 18 balls, while Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with a quick eight before being removed by Shepherd. Contributions from Faheem Ashraf (15) and captain Salman Ali Agha (11 not out) added to the late push, and it was wicketkeeper Mohammad Haris who delivered the final punch—launching the last ball of the innings over the ropes to lift Pakistan to 178 for seven.

With this result, Pakistan take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. For the West Indies, the defeat marks a sixth consecutive T20I loss, compounding their recent 5-0 series sweep at the hands of Australia. The two sides will meet again on Sunday.

Teams

Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris (WK), Salman Agha (C), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem.

West Indies: Johnson Charles, Shai Hope (C/WK), Jewel Andrew, Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Gudakesh Motie, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Jediah Blades.