Mohammad Hafeez achieved the best economical figures in his Twenty20 International career as Pakistan survived a Nicholas Pooran blitz to beat the West Indies by seven runs in Guyana.
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Mohammad Hafeez is in his 18th year of international cricket. He may have retired from ODIs and Tests but he is proving to be an asset in Twenty20 Internationals. In the second match against the West Indies at Providence, Guyana, Hafeez achieved history. He bowled a spell of 4-1-6-1, which was the most economical in his career. Hafeez’s spell, combined with Babar Azam‘s fifty ensured that Pakistan could survive a blitz by Nicholas Pooran. Pakistan managed to secure a seven-run win against West Indies to take a 1-0 lead in the four-match series.
Pooran’s 28-ball fifty was simply not enough as Hafeez had applied tremendous pressure at the very beginning. Even Kieron Pollard had an off day, managing only 13 off 14 balls which meant Pakistan had just about enough to defend the final over. This was Pakistan’s 12th win in 15 Twenty20 International encounters against the West Indies. But, they managed to survive this contest by the barest of margins.
West Indies chose to field first but immediately, Pakistan went on the charge. Sharjeel Khan got going with a couple of fours while Mohammad Rizwan blasted two sixes off Akeal Hosein. Rizwan and Sharjeel took the partnership with 45, with Sharjeel hitting a big six off Holder. But, Holder got the crucial breakthrough to dismiss Sharjeel for 20. Rizwan was joined by Babar Azam and the duo looked to keep the momentum going.
Babar slammed two boundaries off Romario Shepherd and he upped the ante with a six off Hayden Walsh. Rizwan and Babar, who had starred in the series against England, stitched a partnership in excess of fifty and both players looked to push the score towards 180-190. But, in the 15th over, Evin Lewis effected a run-out that caught Rizwan short for 46. With the end overs approaching, Fakhar Zaman hit a couple of fours off Shepherd while Babar notched up yet another fifty with a six.
However, the rain interrupted the match for 17 minutes. The break tremendously impacted Pakistan’s momentum as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Immediately after the break, Holder sent back Babar for 51. Dwayne Bravo took two consecutive wickets of Mohammad Hafeez and Zaman. Holder too responded with two wickets of Hasan Ali and Sohaib Maqsood. After the rain break, West Indies had taken six wickets and conceded just 23 runs in the final four overs to restrict Pakistan to 157/8.
Hafeez opened the bowling and he struck immediately by removing Andre Fletcher second ball. Evin Lewis got going with a four off Shaheen Afridi as Pakistan’s fielding once again let them down. In the fourth over, Lewis launched a four and a six off Shaheen as West Indies looked to set a platform. But, Hafeez bowled a maiden in the powerplay and that increased the pressure. Hasan Ali sent back Chris Gayle for 16 off 20 balls. Shadab Khan added to the West Indies’ woes as spin continued to create magic for Pakistan.
Lewis broke the shackles with a six off Usman Qadir and Mohamamd Wasim Jr. Shimron Hetmyer looked to give some company to Lewis but he was bowled by Mohammad Wasim for 17. But, the Windies were hurt by the loss of momentum when Lewis retired hurt due to cramps. With West Indies needing 73 off 30 balls, the momentum was with Pakistan.
But, Nicholas Pooran kept the fight alive. The left-hander hammered two sixes and a four in one over off Wasim Jr. In the first 15 overs, Pakistan had used the variation in pace brilliantly but in the end, they were found wanting. Pooran hit another six off Hasan Ali. But, surprisingly, Pollard struggled. Shaheen conceded two fours as West Indies needed 35 runs off 12 balls.
Pooran hit two sixes off Hasan Ali to reach his fifty off 28 balls. In the last over, 20 runs were needed. But, Shaheen got the big wicket of Pollard. Despite a six and four in the last two balls by Pooran, Pakistan managed to win by seven runs. The third match will also be played at Providence Stadium, Guyana on Sunday.
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