Imad destroys Windies as Bravo hits fifty

DUBAI: Imad Wasim’s sensational bowling performance destroyed West Indies in the first of the three Twenty20 Internationals here at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday.

West Indies were reeling on 48 for eight in 11.3 overs when Dwayne Bravo along with Jerome Taylor rescued them and took the score to 114 in the final over but both were dismissed by left-arm seamer Sohail Tanvir in five balls.

Bravo made a 54-ball 55 for his fourth half-century and Taylor scored 21as they added 66 valuable runs for a world record ninth wicket partnership. All other batsmen could not enter into the double figures.

The West Indies were bowled off the penultimate ball for 115 runs.

Left-arm spinner Imad Wasim had grabbed a career best 5-14 in his four destructive overs -- third best figures for Pakistan in all Twenty20 cricket. The previous best was four for 11, against Zimbabwe at Harare a year ago.

Left-arm fast bowler  Sohail Tanvir grabbed two for 26. He claimed both wickets in the final over.

Bravo smashed paceman Wahab Riaz for a six to reach his half-century and led the recovery from a poor start which saw the West Indies struggling at 46-5 in the first ten overs.

The second match will also be played in Dubai on Saturday while the third is in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.