PORT OF SPAIN, August 9, 2025 — Hasan Nawaz produced a stunning unbeaten knock of 63 runs to guide Pakistan to a thrilling five-wicket win over the West Indies in the opening One-Day International of the three-match series at the Brian Lara Stadium.
The young right-hander played with maturity beyond his years, hitting a towering six and then smashing the match-winning boundary in the penultimate over to seal victory with seven balls to spare. Chasing 281 for victory, Pakistan finished at 284/5, making a strong statement at the start of the tour.
Pakistan’s Chase: Calm, Controlled, and Clinical
Skipper Mohammad Rizwan anchored the innings with a fluent 53, rotating the strike well and keeping the scoreboard ticking. The middle order showed composure after early breakthroughs by the West Indies, ensuring the required run rate never spiraled out of control.
Hasan Nawaz, however, was the standout. Coming in under pressure, he mixed caution with aggression, punishing loose deliveries and holding his nerve during the tense final overs. His unbeaten innings will surely boost his growing reputation as one of Pakistan’s emerging finishers.
West Indies Post Competitive Total
Earlier, after being sent in to bat, the West Indies posted a competitive 280 on the back of solid half-centuries from Evin Lewis, captain Shai Hope, and Roston Chase. The trio batted with flair, keeping the home crowd entertained and ensuring their side crossed the 250-run mark despite regular breakthroughs from Pakistan’s bowling attack.
Shaheen and Naseem Lead the Attack
Pakistan’s new-ball pair was once again at the heart of the team’s success. Shaheen Shah Afridi was lethal with his inswingers, finishing with 4 wickets for 51 runs, while Naseem Shah backed him up with 3 for 55, troubling batters with pace and bounce. The rest of the bowling unit maintained discipline, ensuring the West Indies never truly broke free in the middle overs.
Series Outlook
With this win, Pakistan have taken a 1-0 lead in the series. The focus now shifts to the second ODI on Sunday, where the West Indies will be desperate to level the contest. The third and final match is set for Tuesday, both to be played at the same venue.
Pakistan’s confident start, powered by Hasan Nawaz’s fearless finishing and Shaheen Afridi’s fiery spells, has set the tone for what promises to be an exciting series.
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