Right then, that wraps up the action from this contest. Pakistan takes a 1-0 lead in the series. Be sure to join us again on Sunday, 3rd August, for the second T20I of the three-match series, from the same venue. The match is scheduled to begin at 12:00 AM GMT, and we’ll be with you well before that with all the pre-match build-up, analysis, and insights. Until then, take care and goodbye!

Salman Agha, the skipper of Pakistan, thinks it was a great game. Adds that they assessed the conditions well, and we finished nicely with the bat. Says that the spinners were good in the middle overs, and they also did well in the first half despite not getting the wickets. Mentions that wickets in the middle overs was the turning point in the game as it is difficult to hit once the ball gets older. Ends by adding that it was easy for the set batters but difficult for the new batters coming in.

Shai Hope, the skipper of the West Indies, says that it was not a poor bowling display, but they could have restricted Pakistan to a little less. Adds that the bowling did relatively well, but the batters let them down. Mentions that with the two left-handers, they did not want to risk Motie as Chase was bowling well, so they continued with him. Shares that they did not want to Pak spinners to settle, but unfortunately, the batters could not get going. Closes by adding that they need to lift things and learn from their mistakes.

Saim Ayub wins the Player of the Match award for his all-round effort. He says that it was a difficult wicket to bat on, but they did not want to panic and played along. Adds that the plans are flexible on the conditions and the strategy that they follow. Shares that the wicket was challenging and limits the shot, and they need to play with focus here. Closes by sharing that he wants to play the role that the team demands and wants to improve on his bowling.

Presentation time...

Earlier today, Pakistan were put in to bat first and posted a competitive total of 178/6 in their 20 overs. Saim Ayub led the charge with a fluent 57 off 38 deliveries, while Fakhar Zaman and Hassan Nawaz made useful contributions with quickfire 20s. Although the Men in Green found it tough to find the boundary in the final overs, some vital late blows from Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Haris helped them edge closer to the 180-run mark. For the West Indies, Shamar Joseph stood out with the ball, claiming three wickets in an impressive and economical spell. He was well supported by Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, and Romario Shepherd, who chipped in with a wicket each. 

For the visitors, Mohammad Nawaz was the pick of the bowlers with three crucial wickets, while Sufiyan Muqeem, Shaheen Afridi, and Saim Ayub also chipped in with crucial wickets to stem the flow of runs and put the pressure on the home side. The catching and the ground fielding were also good from the Men in Green, which put added pressure on the Men in Maroon, who have now lost each of their last six T20Is and will be desperate to bounce back. 

Pakistan put in a solid all-round performance to defeat the West Indies by 14 runs in the opening T20I of the three-match series, taking a 1-0 lead. Defending a target of 179, Pakistan's bowlers held their nerve after the West Indies got off to a strong start in the Powerplay. At 72/0, the hosts looked in control, but a dramatic collapse saw them lose five wickets for just 20 runs, slipping to 92/5. The spinners played a crucial role in stifling the scoring and triggering the middle-order collapse. Despite spirited efforts from Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, and Shamar Joseph, who all chipped in with late cameos, the required run rate proved too steep. The West Indies ultimately fell short, finishing on 164/7.