By our correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Debutant Hasan Nawaz made a memorable start to his ODI career, while Hussain Talat marked a triumphant return after six years, as the pair stitched together an unbeaten 104-run partnership to steer Pakistan to a five-wicket win over West Indies in the opening ODI at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Friday night.
Pakistan chased down the 281-run target with seven balls to spare, reaching 284 for 5 in 49 overs. Player of the Match Hasan Nawaz remained unbeaten on a sparkling 63* (41 balls, 5 fours, 3 sixes), while Hussain Talat contributed a composed 41* (36 balls, 4 fours, 1 six) in a crucial sixth-wicket stand.
Pakistan were in a spot of bother at 158-4 in the 31st over when Hasan walked in. Hussain joined him at 180-5 in the 38th over. The duo immediately turned the tide, scoring 26 runs in the next two overs and pushing the total to 209 by the 40-over mark. They accelerated from there, striking five boundaries and three sixes in the final 8.5 overs to guide Pakistan home.
Earlier in the chase, Pakistan lost Saim Ayub early, but Mohammad Rizwan’s 53 (69 balls, 4 fours) steadied the innings. Rizwan stitched 40-run stands with Babar Azam (47 off 64) and Salman Ali Agha (23 off 26), while also adding 47 with Abdullah Shafique (29 off 33). Rizwan was eventually trapped LBW by Shamar Joseph in the 38th over.
For West Indies, Joseph claimed 2 wickets, while Roston Chase, Gudakesh Motie, and Jayden Seales chipped in with one each.
Earlier, West Indies posted 280 all out in 49 overs. Evin Lewis (60 off 62), Shai Hope (55 off 77), and Roston Chase (53 off 54) top-scored for the hosts. They were cruising at 200-4 in the 42nd over, but a dramatic collapse saw them lose their last six wickets for just 80 runs.
Pakistan’s pace duo of Shaheen Shah Afridi (4-51) and Naseem Shah (3-55) led the charge in the death overs, combining for 7 wickets. Naseem finished the innings in style with two pinpoint yorkers in consecutive deliveries.
Spin also played a role for Pakistan, with Salman Ali Agha, Saim Ayub, and debutant Sufyan Moqim each picking up a wicket and combining for figures of 3 for 144 in their full quota.
Scores in Brief:
West Indies – 280 all out in 49 overs (Evin Lewis 60, Shai Hope 55, Roston Chase 53, Gudakesh Motie 31; Shaheen Shah Afridi 4-51, Naseem Shah 3-55)
Pakistan – 284/5 in 49 overs (Hasan Nawaz 63*, Mohammad Rizwan 53, Babar Azam 47, Hussain Talat 41*; Shamar Joseph 2-65)
Result: Pakistan won by 5 wickets
Series: Pakistan lead the three-match series 1-0
