Punchy Knock from Saim Ayub Lifts Pakistan to 1-0 Lead
Pakistan kicked off their three-match T20I series against West Indies with a 14-run victory at the Central Broward Regional Park in Florida. As the Florida sun blazed down on July 31, 2025, it was Saim Ayub who brought the real heat—scoring an energetic 57 off 38 balls. That knock included five crisp boundaries and two cleanly struck sixes, giving Pakistan a strong platform and silencing early doubts over their top order.
Pushed into batting first by the West Indies, Pakistan set about their innings with intent. Saim Ayub’s strokeplay kept the scoreboard ticking, sweeping and pulling magnificently while his partner, Fakhar Zaman, provided steady support with a 24-ball 28. The pair managed to keep West Indies’ bowlers at bay, with Ayub looking particularly sharp against anything short or wide.
Lower down, big-hitter Hasan Nawaz chipped in with a punchy 24 from just 18 deliveries. Finisher Faheem Ashraf then gave the innings some late acceleration, crashing 16 off only 9 balls. In the end, Pakistan posted a competitive 178 for 6—setting a target that would test any lineup, especially a West Indies side wrestling with form.
West Indies Falter in High-Stakes Chase
Chasing 179 under pressure, the West Indies got off to a wobbly start. Their batting struggled for direction, even as Johnson Charles briefly steadied the ship with a rapid 35. The rest of the top order faltered, unable to sustain partnerships as Pakistan’s bowling attack cranked up the pressure.
Mohammad Nawaz and Sufiyan Maqsood deployed clever variations and tight lines, squeezing the scoring rate right when it mattered. Nawaz, known for his sharp left-arm spin, claimed vital wickets and tied down the middle overs. Maqsood’s seamers gave nothing away at the death. Even with Andrew Moti showing flashes of aggression, West Indies simply couldn’t build the momentum needed. Their effort fizzled out at 164 for 7, 14 runs shy of what should have been a gettable target on the quick Florida outfield.
- Saim Ayub’s cricket flair set the tone for Pakistan with both bat and confidence.
- Mohammad Nawaz stamped his mark on the game, not just with the ball but with strategic field-placings throughout the innings.
- Shamar Joseph was the standout for West Indies with the ball, claiming 3 wickets for 30 runs, keeping Pakistan from racing to a mammoth score.
This latest defeat extends a rough patch for West Indies in white-ball cricket, as their hunt for consistency continues. The series heads into its next matches on August 2 and 3 at the same venue, and pressure is mounting on the Caribbean side to find answers.
Packing the stands in Florida, fans witnessed a lively contest—one marked by Pakistan's discipline and flashes of brilliance from emerging talent. The signs are clear: Pakistan’s bench strength is keeping them ahead, while West Indies have more tuning up to do if they want to stay alive in the series.
