On a memorable Friday night at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, 22-year-old debutant Hasan Nawaz produced a calm yet commanding 63 not out to guide Pakistan to a five-wicket victory over the West Indies in the opening ODI.
Hasan, named Player of the Match, struck five fours and three sixes in his 54-ball knock and forged an unbroken 104-run sixth-wicket partnership with Hussain Talat. Hussain, making his ODI comeback after six years, contributed a composed 41 not out. The duo steered Pakistan home with seven balls to spare after the chase wobbled at 158-4 in the 31st over.
I believed in myself. I knew I could finish here like I do in the PSL. The plan was for Hussain to take on the spinners and me to attack the pacers — and it worked perfectly.
Rizwan anchors, middle order responds
Chasing 281, Pakistan’s start was shaky as Saim Ayub fell for 5, but skipper Mohammad Rizwan played the anchor role with a patient 53 off 69 balls. His 40-run stands with Babar Azam (47 off 64) and Salman Ali Agha (23) stabilised the innings, before Babar and Abdullah Shafique (29) added 47 for the second wicket.
Rizwan’s 17th ODI half-century came in challenging conditions before he was trapped lbw by Shamar Joseph in the 38th over. At that point, West Indies sensed an opening — but Hasan and Hussain closed the door.
Shaheen, Naseem spark Windies collapse
Earlier, West Indies appeared set for a bigger total at 200-4 in the 42nd over before Shaheen Shah Afridi (4-51) and Naseem Shah (3-55) triggered a collapse of 6-80. The spin trio of Salman Ali Agha, Saim Ayub and Sufyan Moqim chipped in with a wicket apiece.
The hosts’ innings was built around half-centuries from Evin Lewis (60), skipper Shai Hope (55) and Roston Chase (53), with Keacy Carty adding 30. Gudakesh Motie’s late 18-ball 31 added some spark, but the final tally of 280 proved short once the dew set in.
Hussain and Hasan deserve full credit. We had some doubts about the weather, but the partnership was brilliant. Our bowling needs to improve, though — the West Indies batted well in tough conditions.
Rizwan lauded the match-winners: “Hussain and Hasan deserve full credit. We had some doubts about the weather, but the partnership was brilliant. Our bowling needs to improve, though — the West Indies batted well in tough conditions.”
Shai Hope admitted his side fell short: “Maybe we could’ve got more runs in the middle overs. It was always going to be tricky with the wet ball later.”
Brief Scores: West Indies 280 all out in 49 overs (Lewis 60, Hope 55, Chase 53, Motie 31; Shaheen 4-51, Naseem 3-55) Pakistan 284/5 in 48.5 overs (Hasan Nawaz 63*, Rizwan 53, Babar 47, Hussain 41*; Shamar Joseph 2-65) Pakistan won by 5 wickets, lead series 1-0.
