KARACHI: It was a no-match as world number one Pakistan completely annihilated a depleted West Indies by a big 143 runs in the first Twenty20 international on Sunday here at the National Stadium Karachi — the first match in the city for nine years.
Pakistan notched their equal highest Twenty20 total of 203-5 in 20 overs before bowling the West Indies out for their lowest Twenty20 total of 60 in 13.4 overs.
West Indies, without heir top stars, regular skipper Carlos Brathwaite, Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo, could not stand up to Pakistan’s varied bowling attack with only Marlon Samuels (18), Rayad Emrit (11) and Keemo Paul (10) reaching double figures.
The victory is the second largest victory in a Twenty20 international behind Sri Lanka’s 172-run win over Kenya in Johannesburg in the inaugural World Twenty20 at Johannesburg in 2007.
Pakistan’s biggest Twenty20 international win was of 102 against Bangladesh at the same venue in 2008 when they also made 203-5.
Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Nawaz and Shoaib Malik chipped in with two wickets apiece.
Pakistan equalled their highest Twenty20 total as they scored 203-5 after they were put into bat by the West Indies.
Fakhar Zaman was dealing in boundaries as he smashed three 4s in the first over bowled
by leg-spinner Samuel Badree. Fakhar was looking in great form during his 24-ball 39 studded with six boundaries and a maximum but was unlucky when he was run out, trying to steal a quick single but Veerasammy Permaul’s brilliant fielding saw him short of running.
Hussain Talat himself suffred the same feat after scoring a rapid 37-ball 41 with two boundaries and a six. Hussain and Sarfraz kept the tempo fast as they added 75 for the third wicket helping Pakistan to 94-2 in the first ten overs.
Sarfraz’s 22-ball 38 had four boundaries and a six. It was left to Shoaib Malik and Faheem Ashraf to add 47 in the last 2-5 overs after Asif Ali fell for one. Malik smashed four boundaries and a six. Ashraf hit a six and a boundary in his 9-ball 16.
The second match is on Monday and the third a day later — both in Karachi.
Despite the memorable occasion and claims by Pakistan Cricket Board of a sell-out the stadium was nearly half empty, with 20,000 crowd in a capacity of 33,000.
The series is seen as a big step towards reviving international cricket in Pakistan since it was suspended in 2009 following attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore.
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