Published: Mar 27, 2017, 03:25 AM (IST)
Edited: Mar 27, 2017, 03:25 AM (IST)
Pakistan eased past West Indies by 6-wickets in the first Twenty20 International (T20I) at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados. Debutant Shadab Khan spun his web around the top-order West Indies batsmen getting three wickets in his 4 overs conceding just 7 runs. Shadab’s impressive figures were matched by the other Pakistan bowlers as they all chipped in getting one wicket each reducing West Indies to 111 in 20 overs. Carlos Brathwaite played a lone battle towards the end slamming 35* off 27 deliveries. But Shoaib Malik with his superfluous unbeaten knock of 38 ensured Pakistan crossed the winning line with ease and comfort. So let’s take a look at some of the highlights that grabbed the attention in this series opener. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD, West Indies vs Pakistan, 1st T20I
Shadab’s guile: Pakistan were in a comfortable position. They had won the toss and soon got the wickets of Evin Lewis and Marlon Samuels in quick succession. Sarfraz Ahmed introduced Shadab in the 8th over. And within no time, the youngster got his first wicket. He got the wicket of Chadwick Walton on the second bowl he bowled in his debut game – the Wrong one did the trick.
If this was not enough, 1 delivery later, he clean bowled Lendl Simmons. By the time, Shadab had completed his first over at the international level he had taken two big wickets giving away just 1 run.
But the fairy tale didn’t end here, as he got his third wicket of Sunil Narine on the second ball of his second over. The wrong one again doing the trick. By the time Shadab ended his spell, he had become the most economical bowler on debut in T20I conceding just 7 runs in his 4 overs and scalping 3 vital wickets.
Kamran Akmal and Drop: Kamran Akmal making his comeback in the international side had a happy start. He wasn’t behind the wickets but was stationed at within the 30-yard circle. Early on, he stopped a certain boundary at mid-on which triggered laughter around the Pakistan camp. But the laugh didn’t last long as Kaman made a blunder of a Keiron Pollard’s mis-hit off Shadab’s bowling. Kamran was at backward point leg and the ball went flying towards him. But Kamran did a Kamran and misjudged the ball only to dive late and drop the catch.
Had he taken this catch, Shadab would have had his fourth wicket of the game and also the third on second delivery of his 3 consecutive overs.
Carlos Brathwaite’s assault: It had been a long time since Brathwaite had batted remarkably, just like he did in Kolkata in the ICC World Cup Final. But in this series opener, he looked in that mood. He started off cautiously, dealing in singles. But as his partners departed one after the other, Brathwaite unleashed himself. He went hard, especially against Wahab Riaz. Brutally hammering the Pakistani pacer to a flat-batted six and in total Brathwaite hammered 2 sixes and 2 boundaries to Wahab.
Head and chest clash: West Indies pacers were dominating the proceedings having got rid of both Pakistan openers one after the other. They bowled stringent spells leaving the batsmen frustrated. And this caused Mohammad Hafeez to try an audacious shot which was never to happen. Brathwaite banged in short and outside off which Hafeez tries to the pull and top-edged it high into the sky. The ball was coming straight into the hands of Brathwaite who had stationed himself in the right position and he succeeded in catching the ball. But within micro-seconds, Brathwaite was rammed in his chest by wicketkeeper Walton. Both went for the catch but without any calls. Brathwaite kept hold of the ball despite the clash but made sure of giving Walton an earful before going down in pain.
Serene Shoaib Malik: Malik was superfluous in his unbeaten 38. There were free-flowing drives, calculated late-cuts and apt use of feet against the guile of Samuel Badree and Narine. He used his experience well and looked brimmed with confidence throughout. Malik waited for the bad deliveries to come and once they did, he dispatched them to or over the boundary ropes with ease and precision.
He had mentioned before the game began that he intends to play until the 2019 England World Cup, and if continues to play so, there’s definitely no stopping him.
Brief scores:
West Indies 111 for 8 in 20 overs (Carlos Brathwaite 34*, Chadwick Walton 18; Shadab Hasan 3 for 7, Sohail Tanvir 4 for 21) lost to Pakistan 115 for 4 in 17.1 overs (Shoaib Malik 38*, Babar Azam 29; Jason Holder 2 for 27) by 6 wickets
