Nawaz sparks Pakistan to five-wicket ODI win over West Indies

TRINIDAD: Pakistan chased down West Indies' target with ease, winning by five wickets in an exciting ODI opener at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba. 

Key knocks from captain Mohammad Rizwan and debutant Hasan Nawaz, supported by Babar Azam and Hussain Talat, powered Pakistan to victory.

West Indies had posted 280 runs, boosted by crucial fifties from Evin Lewis, captain Shai Hope, and Roston Chase.

Chasing 281, Pakistan endured an early setback when opener Saim Ayub was removed for just five runs by Jayden Seales in the third over, leaving the visitors at 16-1.

Abdullah Shafique joined Babar Azam to add 47 runs for the second wicket, showing composure in the chase. However, his knock of 29 off 33 balls — featuring three fours and a six — came to an end, making it 63-2.

Babar and Rizwan then built a solid 55-run stand for the third wicket, keeping Pakistan in control. Babar, eyeing a half-century, fell three runs short when he was stumped off Gudakesh Motie for 47 (64 balls, five fours, one six), leaving Pakistan at 118-3 in the 24th over.

Salman Ali Agha chipped in with 23 off 26 balls before being dismissed by Roston Chase. Rizwan, undeterred, reached his 16th ODI fifty in the company of debutant Nawaz.

Their partnership added 22 before Shamar Joseph struck, removing Rizwan for 53 off 69 balls (four boundaries) with the score at 180-5 in the 37.2 over.

From there, Nawaz and all-rounder Hussain Talat steadied the innings with a composed, unbeaten century stand for the sixth wicket.

Nawaz brought up his maiden ODI fifty in fortuitous fashion when Motie dropped a catch at slip, eventually finishing unbeaten on 63 off 54 balls (four fours, three sixes).

Talat supported him with 41* off 37 balls (four fours, one six) as Pakistan crossed the target in 48.5 overs.

During the post-match press conference, Rizwan credited Nawaz and Talat for their composure under pressure.

"[Hasan] Nawaz and Talat deserve all the credit. The conditions weren't easy, but to have that partnership coming in at seven, I want to give a lot of credit to Talat," Rizwan said.

Reflecting on the overall team performance, the wicketkeeper-batter pointed out areas for improvement.

"We want to improve a bit on our bowling. The ball was gripping in the first half, and towards the end, we gave a few too many runs, I feel," he remarked.

He also discussed the mindset of the bowling unit and their adaptability to the conditions.

"Bowlers are happy because they feel it [having a single ball after the 34th over] can reverse, and there was a different feeling among the bowling group," he added.

Earlier, West Indies, batting first, lost Brandon King for four in the opening over to Shaheen Afridi. Evin Lewis and Keacy Carty then rebuilt with a 50-run stand, but Lewis fell to Saim Ayub after making 60 off 62 balls (five fours, three sixes).

Skipper Shai Hope anchored the innings with 55 off 77 balls, sharing a 64-run stand with Chase.

Chase compiled a well-made 53 off 54 balls before falling to Naseem Shah, while Gudakesh Motie provided late fireworks with 31 off 18 balls (three fours, two sixes), helping the hosts reach 280 before being bowled out in the 49th over.

Afridi was the pick of the bowlers with 4-51 from eight overs, while Naseem Shah claimed 3-55. Saim Ayub, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Salman Ali Agha chipped in with a wicket each.

With this victory, Pakistan take a 1-0 lead in the series, with the second ODI set to be played on Sunday.