Pakistan Sets 189-4 Against West Indies

LAUDERHILL: Thanks to a superb opening stand of 138 runs by Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan, Pakistan managed a total of 189-4 in their 20 overs against West Indies in the final T20I at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground on Monday.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Pakistan had a quick beginning as Ayub and Farhan aggressively attacked the West Indies bowlers, reaching 47-0 at the close of the powerplay.

The pair formed a strong fifty-run partnership and kept dominating, aiming for a series-winning score. Farhan was notably impressive, achieving his half-century in T20Is in the 11th over, with Pakistan at 88 without any loss.

Saim Ayub soon followed, scoring his own fifty in T20Is and pushing the team past 100 in the 13th over, with Pakistan comfortably placed at 108-0.

West Indies finally broke through in the 17th over when Shamar Joseph dismissed Farhan for 74 off 53 balls, including three fours and five sixes, leaving Pakistan at 138-1 after 16.2 overs.

Hassan Nawaz then partnered with Ayub, adding a quick 15 from seven balls, with two sixes, before being caught out by Roston Chase, bringing the score to 158-2 in the 18th over.

In the next over, Mohammad Haris was run out for 2, due to a good effort by Jewel Andrew and Gudakesh Motie, leaving Pakistan at three down.

Ayub’s excellent innings ended in the 19th over when Jason Holder removed him for 66 from 49 balls, including four boundaries and two maximums, with the score at 170-4.

The last over was productive for Pakistan, with Shamar Joseph conceding 19 runs. Khushdil Shah remained not out with 11 from six balls, and Faheem Ashraf added a useful 10 from three balls.