Pakistan players celebrate after the dismissal of West Indies’ Brandon King (not pictured) PAK vs WI 1st T20I at the National Stadium in Karachi on Monday.
Mohammad Rizwan scored 78 and pacer Mohammad Wasim scored 4-40 as Pakistan beat West Indies by 63 runs in the first T20I in Karachi on Monday.
Rizwan extended his innings to 1,201 runs in 27 T20Is this year and played another scintillating innings, dethroning Pakistan’s 200-6 after being sent in to bat.
Haider Ali hit a career-best 68 in 39 balls with the help of four sixes and six fours in the latter part of the innings. West Indies were reduced to 137 in 19 overs as Wasim bowled an impressive yorker to claim his career-best figures, and Shadab Khan Captured 3-17.
“Rizwan and Haider Ali played well and the way (Mohammad) Nawaz finished was fantastic,” the Pakistan captain said. Babar Azmi said.
Babar said the way West Indies batsmen struggled against the spin of Shadab and Nawaz, he was encouraged to pick an extra spinner for the remaining two T20Is.
The visitors are touring without many T20 specialists, and suffered a major setback on Saturday when pacer Sheldon Cottrell and all-rounders Roston Chase and Kyle Meyers were ruled out of the series after testing positive for coronavirus in Karachi.
West Indies debuted fast bowler Dominic Drakes, who claimed 1-43, and batsman Shamar Brooks, who scored 5.
“We gave 20 more runs in the ground and there were also some boundaries on the sides,” said caretaker captain Nicholas Pooran.
“I love the effort and energy of the guys tonight. We are a young side, but it all comes down to execution.”
Earlier, Rizwan, who scored 78 off 52 balls, and Haider combined for 105 runs, shared a third-wicket partnership after West Indies bowlers did well in the batting powerplay.
Babar was dismissed for his third duck when he dismissed left-arm spinner Akil Hossein. But once Hossin’s overs looked over, Rizwan and Haider had a forgotten night with expensive figures of 1-56 at the National Stadium with Odion Smith against the fast bowlers.
Smith got some respite from taking two smart catches in the deep to dismiss Rizwan and Haider, but Mohammad Nawaz provided a fine finish with a blistering 30 not out off 10 balls.
Wasim dislodged the off stump of Pooran (18) and trapped Devon Thomas (2) with a yorker, claiming two tailenders in his last over.
opener Shai Hope Smith (24) and Romario Shepherd (21) top-scored with 31 after West Indies trailed 88-7 in the 14th over, while Smith (24) and Romario Shepherd (21) narrowed the margin.
The second T20 is on Tuesday and then the final match on Thursday. The series will be followed by three ODIs – also in Karachi – from Saturday. (AP) India
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