Recent Match Report – Pakistan vs West Indies 1st Q20I 2021/22

Pakistan has had a glimpse of its middle-order future in the absence of Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik. Haider Ali showed why he’s the next big thing, overcoming a slow start before bringing the innings to life with a robust 68 balls of 39 to set the tone for a dominant display at batting. Pakistan’s 200 for 6 was more than enough as the West Indies easily unwound against the spin. The devotees of Karachi returned home perhaps wishing for a more equal competition.

A turbulent start

Babar Azam came out on second ball after the West Indies chose to play. Left arm spinner Akeal Hosein gave a sharp spin to gain the advantage over wicket keeper Shai Hope. Then Fakhar Zaman fell under Romario Shepherd’s change of pace as he finished a long task. Inside the power play, Pakistan was in two and crackled like a two-stroke engine running on kerosene.

Rizwan and Haider’s recovery

Mohammad Rizwan kept the races running with opportune limits, extremely quick on the pullover. His choice of lengths versus pace was impeccable as he lifted half a century of 34 balls. However, he had to hold his end of the deal against the spin, particularly against Hosein, who finished his four overs with 1 for 19 by the 11th. At this point, Haider was on 12 of 14, looking for the big shots without being able to hit them cleanly. Then, like a flick of a switch, everything turned around.

From the 12 on, he climbed into Odean Smith’s middle pace, hitting him for three fours and sixes to pitch his innings. This turned out to be the trigger for a surge from there. Under his bus was rookie Dominic Drakes, who also struggled for consistency, as Haider elevated his half-century with an 83-meter six. He had only released 28 balls, Pakistan at 140 for 2 at the 15 bar. From the first ball of the 16th, Rizwan was out as Odean’s running catch around the ropes in the middle of the wicket. returned him for 78. A third wicket of 105 points had been broken.

The arrival of Nawaz

Rizwan’s exit gave Asif Ali, six hitters, the platform to launch into an inexperienced attack, but he only managed one attack. Iftikhar Ahmed also failed, Pakistan needed someone to side with Haider. As it turns out, Mohammad Nawaz has done more. His three fours and his two sixes blinded the visitors, who had until then hoped to limit Pakistan to 180. That was to change, however, as Romario Shepherd’s 19th fell to 21, allowing for a massive arrival.

Wasim’s Heartbreaking Curse

First bullet: a magnificent cover drive on the rise. Third ball: a short-arm jab for six. What demoralize a 20-year-old rookie wanting to impress the team management? Not Mohammed Wasim. He responded with a sharp yorker to flatten Nicholas Pooran’s stump while he was late on the shot. Maybe he underestimated Wasim’s pace. Then, on his next legitimate second delivery, the sixth of innings, he hit returning man Devon Thomas low to his boot. Gone, he didn’t even bother to revise. The West Indies were 46 to 3 inside Powerplay.

Nawaz, Shadab apply the starter

With the target already looking out of reach and the demand rate increasing minute by minute, Nawaz and Shadab Khan woven a web around the batters, superbly using the crease and length variations to tie up the batters. Hope was swept out, Shamarh Brooks kicked off trying to lift off the side of the leg, and Rovman Powell was brilliantly caught by a long-range Nawaz dive. At 88-7, the West Indies were in danger of being eliminated well within 20 overs. However, Odean (24 of 16) and Shepherd (21 of 16) came together to swing their bats for powerful punches. although they only served to reduce the margin of defeat.