TAROUBA; Debutant Hasan Nawaz marked his one-day international (ODI) debut in style, scoring an unbeaten 63 to guide Pakistan to a five-wicket victory over West Indies in the opening match of their three-game series at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba on Friday.
Chasing 281 for victory, Pakistan overcame a shaky start to reach the target in 48.5 overs, thanks to a match-winning, unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 104 between Nawaz and all-rounder Hussain Talat. Nawaz’s composed 63 off 54 balls included three sixes and five fours, while Talat added a valuable 41* off 37 deliveries with four boundaries and a six.
Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and opted to field, striking early through Shaheen Shah Afridi, who removed Brandon King in the first over. West Indies rebuilt through Evin Lewis (60 off 62 balls, five fours, three sixes), captain Shai Hope (55 off 77), and Roston Chase (53 off 54), with Gudakesh Motie’s late cameo of 31 from 18 balls boosting them to 280 all out in 48.5 overs. Afridi led Pakistan’s attack with 4-51, while Naseem Shah claimed 3-55.
In reply, Pakistan lost opener Saim Ayub early before Abdullah Shafique (29) and Babar Azam (47) steadied the innings. Mohammad Rizwan (53) added crucial runs but fell with the visitors still needing 101 from just over 12 overs. That set the stage for Nawaz and Talat’s heroics, with Nawaz sealing the win by hitting the winning boundary in the penultimate over.
After the match, Rizwan praised the debutant and his partner for their composure under pressure. “Hasan Nawaz and Talat deserve all the credit. The conditions weren’t easy, but that partnership was special,” the captain said.
The victory gave Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the series, with the second ODI scheduled for Sunday and the final match on Tuesday.
