Pakistan clinch ODI win over West Indies thanks to Nawaz’s heroics

Hasan Nawaz enjoyed a dream one-day international debut on Friday, scoring an unbeaten 63 to guide Pakistan to a five-wicket win over West Indies in the opening match of their ODI series.

Pakistan clinched a thrilling win against West Indies in the first day-night ODI, thanks to a remarkable unbeaten 104-run sixth-wicket partnership between Mohammad Nawaz and Hussain Talat. The victory came with seven balls to spare, setting the tone for the next matches on Sunday and Tuesday. West Indies, batting first after Pakistan won the toss, were bowled out for 280 runs. Evin Lewis top-scored with 60 off 62 balls, smashing three sixes and five fours. Shai Hope contributed 55, while Roston Chase added 53. Pakistan’s bowling attack was led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, who claimed four wickets, including Brandon King in the opening over and Hope in the 41st over. Naseem Shah also struck twice in the final over to wrap up the innings.

Chasing 281, Pakistan lost key wickets early but Mohammad Rizwan’s 53 kept the scoreboard ticking before he was dismissed by Shamar Joseph in the 38th over, leaving Pakistan 101 runs behind. Nawaz and Talat then took charge, steering the team to victory with aggressive yet calculated batting. Nawaz smashed 63 off 54 balls, hitting three sixes and five fours, including a six on the second ball of the 49th over and the match-winning boundary off Joseph’s final delivery. Talat supported with an unbeaten 41 off 37 balls, hitting one six and four fours. Earlier, Chase’s half-century ended when he was caught by Babar Azam off Naseem Shah. West Indies’ middle order struggled against Pakistan’s pace attack, losing wickets at crucial stages.