Pakistani spinners sink West Indies in T20 opener

WEB DESK: Pakistan handed West Indies yet another T20 defeat on Thursday, clinching a 14-run victory in the series opener as spin proved decisive under the Florida lights. With a target of 179, the West Indies faltered in the chase, undone by Pakistan’s spin trio led by Mohammad Nawaz, who claimed the key wickets of Johnson Charles and debutant Jewel Andrew, both dismissed after scoring 35.

The win extended the Caribbean side’s losing streak in the shortest format to six matches, following a 5-0 whitewash by Australia at home earlier in July.

Saim Ayub anchored Pakistan’s innings with a fluent 57 before being removed by Jason Holder. His dismissal briefly raised hopes for the West Indies, but a late flourish featuring brisk cameos from Faheem Ashraf and Hasan Nawaz, and a towering six by Mohammad Haris — helped Pakistan amass 58 runs in the final 31 deliveries.

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Speaking after the match, Ayub said he had opted for a more cautious approach on a surface that offered early turn. “The pitches here in the West Indies are quite different from what we saw in Bangladesh,” he noted. “There’s a lot of assistance for spinners on this wicket, so I decided to take a bit of time and play sensibly.”

Crediting the bowling unit, Ayub added, “We won this match because of our spinners.”

The two teams will face off again in Lauderhill on Saturday in the second T20I of the three-match series. The action then moves to Tarouba for a three-game ODI leg.