Saim Ayub delivered a brilliant all-round performance as Pakistan defeated West Indies by 14 runs in the opening T20 SERIESmatch of the three-game series in Lauderhill, Florida. The young star’s contribution with both bat and ball helped Pakistan bounce back after a disappointing T20 SERIESseries defeat in Bangladesh.
Batting first, Pakistan posted 178-6 in their allotted 20 overs, anchored by a stylish knock from Saim Ayub. The left-hander scored 57 runs off 38 deliveries, smashing five boundaries and two sixes. Alongside Fakhar Zaman, who added 28, Ayub built a solid 81-run partnership for the second wicket, lifting Pakistan to 107 by the 12th over.
A bigger total seemed within reach, but West Indies pacer Jason Holder broke the stand by trapping Ayub lbw. Returning quick Shamar Joseph impressed with figures of 3-30, keeping the visitors in check as Pakistan fell short of the 180-mark.
Pakistan’s spinners, especially Mohammad Nawaz, who completely changed the game in one over, made the total sufficient. Nawaz reappeared for a game-changing 12th over, taking three wickets, after being comparatively quiet in his opening three overs.
Nawaz set off a collapse that saw Jewel Andrew (35), Johnson Charles (35), and Gudakesh Motie (0) fall in rapid succession. Once securely positioned at 72-0, the West Indies were now reeling at 75-3. When skipper Shai Hope was caught off Saim Ayub, who chipped in with the ball to claim 2-20, the swift decline continued.
The hosts lost four wickets for just five runs during a chaotic spell in the middle overs. Although Holder fought back with a quickfire 30 off just 12 balls – including four sixes – and Joseph added a useful 21 off 12, the damage had already been done. The West Indies ended their chase at 164-7, falling short by 14 runs.
With figures of 2-20 and a half-century to his name, Saim Ayub Pakistan vs West Indies performance earned him the Player of the Match award. Mohammad Nawaz was equally impactful, finishing with 3-23 in his four overs.
Pakistan captain Salman Agha credited his side’s ability to read the pitch conditions and adapt. “We didn’t start well in the first 10 overs, but our spinners turned the match around with excellent control and key breakthroughs,” he said after the match.
The Pakistan T20 SERIESseries win gives the visitors a 1-0 lead as they look ahead to the remaining matches scheduled in Lauderhill on Saturday and Sunday. The T20s will be followed by an ODI series in the Caribbean.
After facing heavy defeats against Australia recently, the West Indies were hoping for a fresh start. But Saim Ayub’s Pakistan vs West Indies heroics ensured that it was the men in green who took the early advantage in the series.
