Pakistan launched their T20 campaign with a thumping 14-run victory over the West Indies in Louderhill, Florida, on Friday, delivering a dominant all-round performance that left the Caribbean side struggling to keep pace. Batting first, the Green Shirts posted a solid total of 178 runs for the loss of six wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Saim Ayub was the standout performer, scoring an impressive 57 runs off just 38 balls before being dismissed.

He was supported by Fakhar Zaman, who chipped in with 28 runs, while Hasan Nawaz added 24, Faheem Ashraf scored 16, and Mohammad Nawaz contributed 9 runs to the total. For the West Indies, Shamar Joseph emerged as the most successful bowler, picking up 3 wickets, but his efforts weren’t enough to contain the Pakistani batting lineup. In response, the West Indies failed to build any significant momentum and were restricted to 164 runs, losing seven wickets.

Chasing 179, the West Indies looked strong at 72/0 during the powerplay, but a sudden collapse saw them tumble to 92/5, losing five wickets for just 20 runs.  Spinners Mohammad Nawaz (3 wickets), Sufiyan Muqeem, and Saim Ayub played key roles in strangling the run flow, while Shaheen Afridi provided vital breakthroughs. Despite spirited late cameos by Shepherd, Holder, and Joseph, the hosts couldn't recover.

They ended at 164/7, falling 14 runs short. Pakistan's sharp fielding and catching added pressure throughout, marking a crucial edge in a closely fought contest. The West Indies, who have now lost six consecutive T20Is, will look to bounce back in the next match. Despite some resistance, their innings fell well short of the target, handing Pakistan a commanding victory by 114 runs—a win that clearly set the tone for the rest of the series.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)