Saim stars as Pakistan beat West Indies in T20I series opener

Pakistan began their T20I series against the West Indies with a 14-run victory in the first match at Lauderhill, Florida, thanks to a stellar all-round performance by Saim Ayub and a spin choke led by Mohammad Nawaz.

After being asked to bat first, Pakistan posted a competitive total of 178/6. The innings was anchored by a fluent 57 off 38 balls from Saim Ayub, who shared a crucial 81-run partnership for the second wicket with Fakhar Zaman (28).

Ayub’s knock, featuring five boundaries and two sixes, provided the platform for a strong total before Jason Holder’s timely breakthrough, trapping him lbw in the 12th over, halted the momentum. Shamar Joseph, returning to the side, impressed with 3-30 and restricted Pakistan from breaching the 180-mark.

The West Indies reply started steadily with openers Johnson Charles and debutant Jewel Andrew putting up a 72-run opening stand. But their innings unraveled dramatically after the halfway mark. Mohammad Nawaz, who had gone wicketless in his first three overs, turned the tide in a single over. He dismissed Andrew (35), Charles (35), and Motie (0) in the 12th over, triggering a collapse from which the hosts never fully recovered.

Adding to the West Indies' woes, Saim Ayub contributed with the ball as well, removing skipper Shai Hope (2) cheaply and returning tidy figures of 2-20. In just a few overs, the home side lost four wickets for just five runs, slumping to 80/5 and falling well behind the required rate.

Jason Holder provided late fireworks with an unbeaten 30 off just 12 deliveries, including four sixes, and Shamar Joseph chipped in with 21 from 12. However, the damage had been done, and the West Indies could only muster 164/7 in their 20 overs.

The win gives Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, with the next two games scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, both at the same venue.