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Pakistan T20I captain Salman Ali Agha expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance after securing a 14-run win over West Indies in the opening match of the three-match series at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium on Friday.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Agha appreciated the all-round effort from his side and pointed out the key moments that shifted the game in Pakistan’s favour.
“It was a great game. We assessed the conditions well, batted and finished strongly. We started well with the ball, dominated the middle overs, and the spinners were outstanding. Even though we didn’t take a wicket in the first 10 overs, we managed to control the game,” Agha said.
He highlighted Mohammad Nawaz’s match-defining over, which saw the left-arm spinner take three wickets and turn the tide in Pakistan’s favour.
“The 12th over brought us three wickets, and that was the turning point. Once the ball got older, it became difficult to bat against spin, and I was just waiting for that moment,” he added.
Agha also mentioned that the pitch offered equal conditions for both teams.
“The pitch played the same for both teams. It was easier to score against the new ball, but as it aged, it began to grip and turn, making batting much harder,” he concluded.
Chasing a target of 179, West Indies started strongly and reached 47 without loss by the end of the powerplay. Debutant Jewel Andrew and Johnson Charles added 72 runs for the opening partnership, both scoring 35 runs.
However, the game turned in the 12th over when Nawaz removed Andrew, Charles, and Gudakesh Motie in the space of five deliveries, reducing West Indies from 72-0 to 75-3.
Saim Ayub then removed Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford, while Shaheen Afridi dismissed Roston Chase in the 16th over. Sufiyan Muqeem joined in with the wicket of Romario Shepherd, leaving the hosts struggling at 110-7.
Jason Holder kept West Indies in the hunt with an unbeaten 30 off just 12 balls, supported by Shamar Joseph, who scored 21. But the required run rate was too high, and West Indies fell short, ending on 164-7. This marked their sixth straight T20I defeat, following a 5-0 loss to Australia.
Nawaz finished as Pakistan’s best bowler with figures of 3-23 in four overs. Saim Ayub also impressed, taking 2-20. Afridi and Muqeem claimed one wicket each.
Earlier, Pakistan were put in to bat and started steadily. Openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan added 26 runs before Farhan was dismissed for 14 by Shamar Joseph.
Saim played a composed knock, scoring 57 off 38 balls with five fours and two sixes. He shared an important 81-run stand with Fakhar Zaman, who made 28 off 24 balls.
After their dismissals in quick succession, Hassan Nawaz kept the scoreboard moving with a brisk 24 off 18 deliveries. Mohammad Haris finished the innings in style with a six off the final ball, helping Pakistan post 178-6.
With this win, Pakistan take a 1-0 lead in the series. The second T20I will be played on Sunday.
