TRINIDAD: Pakistan clinched a convincing five-wicket win over the West Indies in the first ODI at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba, successfully chasing a target of 281 runs in the 49th over.
Hasan Nawaz remained unbeaten on 63, while Hussain Talat contributed an undefeated 41, with their match-winning century stand guiding Pakistan home.Earlier, the West Indies posted 280 runs, powered by crucial half-centuries from Evin Lewis, skipper Shai Hope, and Roston Chase.
Batting first, the hosts suffered an early blow when Brandon King was removed for just four runs in the opening over by Shaheen Afridi.Lewis and Keacy Carty steadied the innings with a 50-run stand for the second wicket before Sufiyan Muqeem dismissed Carty for 30 off 39 deliveries at 81-2 in the 15th over.
Lewis reached his 11th ODI fifty, scoring 60 off 62 balls with five fours and three sixes, but fell to Saim Ayub at 105-3.
Hope and Sharfane Rutherford added 31 for the fourth wicket, but Rutherford’s dismissal for 10 off 19 balls by Agha Salman halted their progress.
Chase then partnered with Hope for another 50-run stand, helping the Windies reach 196-4 in 40 overs. Hope registered his 29th ODI half-century before Shaheen removed him for 55 off 77 balls, breaking a 64-run partnership.
Shaheen struck again to dismiss Romario Shepherd for 4, and Naseem Shah got rid of Chase immediately after he brought up his sixth ODI fifty, ending his innings at 233-7.
Gudakesh Motie’s quickfire 31 off 18 balls lifted the total past 250 before Shaheen claimed his fourth wicket, and Naseem cleaned up the tail to finish with 3/55. Shaheen led the attack with figures of 4/51, while Saim Ayub and Salman Agha took one wicket each.
