Mohammad Nawaz took three wickets in an over to help Pakistan secure a 14-run win over West Indies in the series-opening Twenty20 cricket international in Florida.
Pakistan posted 178 for six with Saim Ayub scoring 57 from 38 deliveries. West Indies openers Johnson Charles and 18-year-old rookie Jewel Andrew scored at just over six an over to the halfway point while chasing the total. After conceding 20 runs in his first three overs, left-arm spinner Nawaz took three wickets in the 12th over to turn the tide in Pakistan’s favour by reducing West Indies to 75-3. Thereafter, West Indies could not really
He started the 12th over with a breakthrough to dismiss Andrew for 35 and end a 72-run opening stand, and added the wickets of Charles (35) and Gudakesh Motie (0) on the fourth and fifth balls as the West Indies slumped to 75-3. Skipper Shai Hope (2) scooped a full delivery from Ayub into the deep in the next over as West Indies lost four wickets for five runs. Ayub was voted player of the match for his half-century and bowling figures of 2-20. Thereafter, West Indies struggled to chase the total, managing 164-7 after 20 overs.
