Date: August 4, 2025
Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
The cricketing world was once again treated to an exhilarating clash as Pakistan took on West Indies in a high-octane match that lived up to the hype. The two teams, known for their passionate fan bases and flair for entertaining cricket, locked horns in a battle of skill, power, and nerve.
First Innings: West Indies Set a Competitive Target
West Indies won the toss and chose to bat first. The decision seemed wise as their openers, Brandon King and Kyle Mayers, started off confidently. They punished the Pakistani seamers early on, especially targeting the short-pitched deliveries.
- Brandon King scored a classy 72 off 48 balls, hitting 8 fours and 3 sixes.
- Rovman Powell, the West Indian captain, chipped in with a quick-fire 45 off 26 balls, showcasing his usual aggressive style.
- Pakistan’s spinner Shadab Khan was the standout bowler with figures of 3/28, using flight and variations to good effect.
West Indies ended their innings at 178/6 in 20 overs, a challenging total on a flat Lahore pitch.
West Indies Batting Scorecard
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon King | 72 | 48 | 8 | 3 | 150.00 |
| Kyle Mayers | 22 | 17 | 3 | 1 | 129.41 |
| Rovman Powell | 45 | 26 | 4 | 2 | 173.08 |
| Nicholas Pooran | 12 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 120.00 |
| Jason Holder | 10 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 125.00 |
| Romario Shepherd | 5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 83.33 |
Pakistan Bowling Scorecard
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shaheen Afridi | 4 | 42 | 1 | 10.50 |
| Haris Rauf | 4 | 35 | 1 | 8.75 |
| Shadab Khan | 4 | 28 | 3 | 7.00 |
| Mohammad Nawaz | 4 | 33 | 1 | 8.25 |
| Naseem Shah | 4 | 38 | 0 | 9.50 |
Second Innings: Pakistan’s Chase and the Nail-Biting Finish
In response, Pakistan’s top order had a mixed start. Babar Azam, the skipper, played a captain’s knock, anchoring the innings beautifully.
- Babar Azam scored a match-defining 81 off 54 balls, combining classic drives with aggressive strokes.
- Saim Ayub added a crucial 33 off 20, taking the pressure off Babar.
- The game took a thrilling turn when Pakistan needed 15 runs off the last over, and Iftikhar Ahmed was on strike.
With the crowd roaring, Iftikhar smashed a six and a four, bringing the equation down to 3 runs from 2 balls. A smart boundary sealed the win for Pakistan with one ball to spare, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
Pakistan won by 4 wickets.
Pakistan Batting Scorecard
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babar Azam | 81 | 54 | 7 | 2 | 150.00 |
| Saim Ayub | 33 | 20 | 5 | 1 | 165.00 |
| Fakhar Zaman | 10 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 83.33 |
| Mohammad Rizwan | 12 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 120.00 |
| Iftikhar Ahmed | 18* | 9 | 2 | 1 | 200.00 |
| Shadab Khan | 8* | 3 | 1 | 0 | 266.67 |
West Indies Bowling Scorecard
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alzarri Joseph | 4 | 37 | 1 | 9.25 |
| Jason Holder | 4 | 32 | 1 | 8.00 |
| Akeal Hosein | 4 | 28 | 0 | 7.00 |
| Romario Shepherd | 4 | 45 | 1 | 11.25 |
| Rovman Powell | 2 | 26 | 0 | 13.00 |
Key Performers
| Player | Performance |
|---|---|
| Babar Azam | 81 (54) – Anchored the chase |
| Shadab Khan | 3/28 – Crucial middle overs spell |
| Brandon King | 72 (48) – Gave WI a strong start |
| Rovman Powell | 45 (26) – Late-innings momentum |
Match Highlights
- Babar Azam crossed 10,000 runs in T20s, adding another milestone to his glittering career.
- Shadab Khan’s spell was a game-changer, taking key wickets just as West Indies were accelerating.
- The Lahore crowd created an electrifying atmosphere, showcasing why Pakistan is one of the best places for cricket entertainment.
What This Means Going Forward
This victory boosts Pakistan’s confidence ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup preparations. The team showed depth in batting and the ability to handle pressure situations. For West Indies, while the loss stings, their aggressive batting remains a threat to any team.
Both sides have several positives to take away from this encounter. The next match in the series promises more fireworks as both teams look to gain the upper hand.
Stay tuned for more match updates, post-match analysis, and player interviews! 🏏
#PAKvWI #BabarAzam #ShadabKhan #T20Cricket #CricketLovers
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