Nawaz's three-wicket over leads Pakistan to a 14-run win over West Indies
Pakistan was sent in to bat and posted 178 for six, led by Saim Ayub's 57 from 38 deliveries.
Debate about that being above or below a par target at this venue was partially answered when West Indies openers Johnson Charles and 18-year-old Jewel Andrew, making his T20 international debut, scored at just over six an over to the halfway point in reply.
After conceding 20 runs in his first three overs, left-arm spinner Nawaz dramatically shifted the contest.
He started the 12th over with a breakthrough to dismiss Andrew for 35 and end a 72-run opening stand, and he added the wickets of Charles (35) and Gudakesh Motie (0) on the fourth and fifth balls as the West Indies slumped to 75-3.
Skipper Shai Hope (2) scooped a full delivery from Ayub into the deep in the next over as West Indies lost four wickets for five runs.
Ayub, who was voted player of the match for his half-century and bowling return of 2-20, said the pitch was challenging to play on so it was important to building partnerships and not panic.
Some lofty tail-end hitting from Jason Holder, who struck four sixes in his unbeaten, 12-ball 30, and Shamar Joseph, who hit 21 from 12, helped West Indies to 164-7 and made the final margin more respectable.
That lopsided contest ended any chance of the West Indies starting the series against Pakistan on a better footing after comprehensive test and T20 series losses to Australia. The Australians wrapped up a historic 8-0 sweep in the Caribbean earlier in the week.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha said his team 'started strong and finished even better.'
A total of closer than 200 was in range for Pakistan early when Ayub and Fakhar Zaman (28) shared an 81-run second-wicket stand to get the score up to 107 in the 12th over.
But Holder trapped Ayub lbw for 57, ending a 38-ball innings that contained five boundaries and two sixes to get the vital breakthrough. Recalled fast bowler Shamar Joseph kept the pressure on Pakistan's batting lineup and returned 3-30 from his four overs.
The second and third T20s will be held in Lauderhill on Saturday and Sunday before an ODI series in the Caribbean.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
8 hours ago
- Arab News
Backstroke queen McKeown pulls off another double
Once again it was American Regan Smith looking to take down McKeown For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport
Arab News
9 hours ago
- Arab News
Thad Jean wins 2025 PFL Welterweight World Tournament championship in Atlantic City
ATLANTIC CITY: The 2025 PFL World Tournament finals began on Friday night at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, with tournament champions being crowned in the welterweight and featherweight divisions. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The undefeated Thad Jean (11-0) claimed the 2025 PFL Welterweight World Tournament championship with a dominant unanimous decision victory over former Interim Bellator champion Logan Storley (18-4). The fight went the full five rounds, with Storley once again proving his toughness and resilience under fire from Jean. Despite Storley's relentless wrestling pressure and takedown attempts, it was Jean's striking that stole the show, displaying pinpoint accuracy, fluid combinations and devastating power that kept his opponent on the defensive throughout. Jean's performance not only earned him the belt but also solidified his status as one of the most dangerous welterweights in the world. The co-main event saw Russia's Movlid Khaybulaev (24-0-1) take on Peru's Jesus Pinedo (25-7-1) in a clash between two former PFL champions, each seeking to claim the 2025 PFL featherweight title. Khaybulaev's world-class grappling proved to be the deciding factor, neutralizing Pinedo's explosive power and keeping the Peruvian on his back for much of the bout. Still, the first-ever Peruvian MMA champion made the most of the striking exchanges, even scoring a knockdown. But in the end, it was Khaybulaev who sealed the victory, securing a late choke to force the tap and capture the 2025 PFL Featherweight World Tournament championship. Algeria's Asael Adjoudj (10-1) effectively used his significant reach advantage to shut down nearly every offensive attempt from France's Yves Landu (21-9) over the first two rounds in the SmartCage. However, in the third, Landu surged back, securing a dominant mount position and unleashing a barrage of strikes, threatening to finish the fight on multiple occasions. Adjoudj rallied in the final moments with a dangerous submission attempt as the clock wound down, ultimately doing enough to earn a unanimous decision from the judges. Kicking off the main card, Jordan Newman (8-0) was dropped within seconds of the opening round by a perfectly placed punch from Eslam Abdelbaset (16-4). The Egyptian fighter swarmed in to finish, but the undefeated Roufusport standout weathered the early storm and responded with punishing knees that visibly damaged Abdelbaset's eye. After a grueling first round, Abdelbaset returned to his corner but failed to answer the bell for round two. Referee Keith Peterson waved off the bout, awarding Newman the victory and preserving his unblemished record. The 2025 PFL World Tournament continues on Friday, Aug. 15 from Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina, with the continuation of the finals. 2025 PFL World Tournament: Finals — Atlantic City main card results: Thad Jean (11-0) def. Logan Storley (18-4) via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) Movlid Khaybulaev (24-0-1) def. Jesus Pinedo (25-7-1) via submission (arm-triangle choke) at 1:17 of round five Asael Adjoudj (10-1) def. Yves Landu (21-10) via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Jordan Newman (8-0) def. Eslam Abdelbaset (16-4) via TKO (fighter retirement) at 5:00 of round one Early card results: Jakub Kaszuba (15-0) def. Sergio Cossio (27-11-1) via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Kyle Driscoll (14-4) def. Husein Kadimagomaev (11-2) via split decision (30-27, 27-30, 29-28) Fred Dupras (9-2) def. Nathan Kelly (11-5) via technical submission (guillotine) at 4:38 of round two Sarek Shields (8-2) def. Nick Meck (9-3) via TKO (doctor's stoppage) at 5:00 of round one Tom Pagliarulo (10-2) def. Matt Turnbull (9-7) via KO (knee to body) at 4:36 of round one Upcoming 2025 PFL World Tournament schedule: 2025 PFL World Tournament: Finals — Aug. 15 — Bojangles Coliseum, Charlotte, NC 2025 PFL World Tournament: Finals — Aug. 21 — Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Hollywood, Florida
Arab News
13 hours ago
- Arab News
Pakistan to face South Africa in World Championship of Legends final today
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will face off South Africa in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) final in Birmingham today. Unbeaten Pakistan Champions arrive at the final after India withdrew from the semifinal amid political tensions between the neighbors. The final match will start at 8:30pm Pakistan time. 'Final stop: The Final,' read a post on the Pakistan Champions Instagram handle, ahead of the match against South Africa. South Africa reached the final after defeating Australia in a nail-biting thriller. The WCL is a T20 tournament approved by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) held in England every year. The tournament features retired and non-contracted players from cricketing giants, including England, India, Pakistan, Australia, West Indies and South Africa. Launched in 2024, the tournament returned this year with high-profile former international stars like Shahid Afridi, Yuvraj Singh, Kevin Pietersen, Brett Lee, Eoin Morgan and Chris Gayle drawing crowds.
