KARACHI: Pakistan outclassed a depleted West Indies side by 143 runs in a one-sided first Twenty20 International of a three-match series at National Stadium here Sunday evening. Chasing a mammoth target of 204, the visitors were bundled out for a megre 60. West Indies were completely outclassed by Pakistan’s bowling as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals, thus suffering humiliating defeat by a big margin. Earlier, Pakistan made 203 with debutant Hussain Talat being the top scorer with 41 runs to his credit. Fakhar Zaman, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shoaib Malik also contributed to the total by scoring 39, 38, and 37 runs, respectively.
Karachi had last hosted an international game in 2009 when Sri Lanka played a Test match before an attack by gunmen on their team bus in Lahore shut the door on international cricket in Pakistan. Karachi hosted the Pakistan Super League final last week, with several foreign players competing. Four top West Indies players Jason Holder, Carlos Brathwaite, Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis pulled out of the T20 series against Pakistan apparently due to security concerns. A relatively weakened West Indies 13-member squad arrived late on Saturday night amid tight security. The tourists have been provided with presidential-like security with dozens of armed guards escorting the teams during travel. Pakistan awarded debuts to Asif Ali and Hussain Talat, who both performed well with the bat in the PSL while representing champions Islamabad United. West Indies had Marlon Samuels and Samuel Badree as their most experienced players in the side, led by Jason Mohammed. All-rounder Keemo Paul and left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul made Twenty20 debuts for the tourists.
Published in Daily Times, April 2nd 2018.