Pakistan edged past West Indies by 14 runs in the opening T20I of the three-match series held at Lauderhill, Florida, on August 1, 2025. Batting first, Pakistan posted a competitive total of 178 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs. Young opener Saim Ayub was the star of the innings, scoring a fluent half-century that set the tone for Pakistan’s innings.
He was well supported by Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman, who contributed with crucial cameos. Despite losing a few wickets in the middle overs, Pakistan managed to finish strongly, thanks to some late fireworks from Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan. In reply, West Indies began their chase with aggression, but early wickets dented their momentum. Brandon King and Nicholas Pooran offered some resistance with a steady partnership in the middle overs, keeping the hosts in the hunt. However, the disciplined Pakistani bowling attack, led by Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, kept things tight in the death overs.
Shadab Khan also chipped in with an economical spell, applying pressure through the middle. Needing 20 runs off the final over, West Indies fell short and ended at 164 for 7, giving Pakistan a hard-fought victory. The win gave Pakistan a 1–0 lead in the series and a confidence boost heading into the next game. For West Indies, it was another missed opportunity, highlighting their need to improve their middle-order consistency and bowling execution. The second T20I promises to be a crucial contest as both sides look to gain momentum. Let me know if you want this styled as a news article with headline and byline!
