Pakistan opened their T20I series against the West Indies with a 14-run win in Lauderhill, in a contest where the final scoreline flattered the hosts more than it reflected the flow of the game. The visitors posted 178 before their spinners strangled the chase in the middle overs, easing them to victory despite a late flourish from Jason Holder.
The foundation for Pakistan’s total was laid by a brisk half-century from Saim Ayub at the top of the order. While the West Indies bowlers kept things tight on a surface that rewarded pace-off variations, Pakistan’s batters ensured the runs kept ticking, if never quite exploding. Once Ayub was trapped lbw by Holder for 57, the lower order stepped up, with cameos from Hasan Nawaz and Faheem Ashraf, plus a six off the only ball faced by Mohammad Haris. That late surge fetched 58 from the final 31 balls, pushing Pakistan to a competitive total.
West Indies began their chase with intent, showing respect to Shaheen Shah Afridi, who conceded just five runs in his two powerplay overs, while attacking the others. Johnson Charles and debutant Jewel Andrew got the hosts off to a strong start, but the innings unravelled after the powerplay.
The turning point came with the introduction of spin. Mohammad Nawaz, Sufiyan Muqeem and Saim Ayub throttled the scoring, giving away just 37 runs in the eight overs after the powerplay while picking up four crucial wickets. Nawaz, in particular, delivered a match-defining spell, breaking the 72-run opening stand by removing Andrew, before Charles fell two balls later after a sharp piece of fielding from Afridi saved four runs at the boundary. Gudakesh Motie followed soon after, holing out to deep midwicket.
Though Holder finished the match with a flourish, smashing 30 not out off just 12 deliveries with four sixes, the result was beyond doubt by then. His 38-run blitz in the final two overs narrowed the margin but couldn’t alter the outcome.
Ayub, whose final 28 runs came in just 13 balls and who also chipped in with two wickets, stood out as the player who made the decisive difference.