KARACHI: Pakistan have defeated West Indies in the second T20 international by 9 runs in a last-over thriller at the National Stadium Karachi. Shadab Khan was named the player of the match for Pakistan.
After winning the toss, Pakistan elected to bat first, and had a sloppy start with Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman getting out early. Mohammad Rizwan and Haider Ali contributed well with the bat scoring 38 and 31, respectively.
Iftikhar Ahmed also played crucial innings of 32 of just 19 balls, followed by a cameo by Shadab Khan scoring 28 runs. Pakistan scored 172 for the loss of 8 wickets. Odean Smith picked up 2 wickets for 24 runs, followed by Akeal Hosein, Oshane Thomas, Romario Shepherd, and Hayden Walsh Jr, picking one wicket each.
In reply, West Indies kept losing wickets at regular intervals, Brandon King remained the top scorer with 67 runs. Romario Shepherd contributed 35 runs off just 19 balls.
No other West Indian batter showed strength, and the team fell short of 10 runs in the last over as they were bowled out for 163 runs. Shaheen Shah Afridi shone with the ball as he picked 3 for 26. Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr., and Haris Rauf picked 2 wickets each.
With this victory, Pakistan has sealed the series 2-0. This is their 19th T20 international win in a calendar year.
