Pre-Match Story!!!
Pakistan embraced a thumping victory against West Indies in Karachi last night adding to their happiness over return of International Cricket to Pakistan.
Full-packed National Stadium produced almost a similar result as it did 10 years ago when Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by 102 runs at the same venue after making 203 for 5 while batting first. While on Sunday night, Pakistan yet again scored 203 for 5 and then restricted West Indies to just 60 runs, clinching a 143-run victory.
It was Pakistan’s biggest victory in T20 Internationals in terms of runs while second biggest in T20I history.
Pakistan win by 143 runs, their biggest victory in terms of runs in T20Is and second biggest in T20I history after 172 by SL vs Kenya.
Windies restricted to 60, which is their lost ever total in T20Is and also lowest by any team against Pakistan. #PakvWI
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) April 1, 2018
203 today by Pakistan was the third highest total in T20Is without a 50, behind 214 by England in Auckland 2013 and 221 by Australia in Sydney 2007. #PakvWI
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) April 1, 2018
Pakistan’s last three totals in T20Is are 201, 181 and 203. No team has scored 180plus in four consecutive matches. #PakvWI
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) April 2, 2018
The Opener Fakhar Zaman provided Pakistan a flying start but lost his partner Babar Azam at 46 before losing his own wicket as well at 65. Fakhar Zaman scored 39 runs off 24 balls with one six.
The debutant Hussain Talat played an impressive knock and scored 41 runs before returning to the dugout following an unfortunate runout. The Captain Sarfraz Ahmed also scored quick-fire 38 runs while Shoaib Malik’s assault in last overs helped Pakistan to cross 200 mark. He scored 37 runs off just 14 balls.
However West Indies struggled from the very beginning and kept on losing wickets with little intervals. In the end, the whole team was bowled out for just 60.
Muhammad Nawaz, Muhammad Amir and Shaoib Malik picked up two wickets each whereas one wicket each was taken by Hasan Ali, Shadab Khan and Hussain Talat.
Hussain Talat secured Man of the Match award, becoming third debutant from Pakistan after Shahid Afridi and Shadab Khan who were honoured with Man of the Match award on their first International match.
The hard-hitting batsman Asif Ali also made his International debut on Sunday but unfortunately failed to make an impact with the bat in his very first game for Pakistan.
Windies are not weak. They are jet lagged. We are strong and in form after the PSL. The next match should be more competitive. Come One, Come All tomorrow!
— Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) April 1, 2018
Today second match of three-match T20 series between Pakistan and West Indies will be held at National Stadium Karachi followed by the third T20 tomorrow at the same venue.
