Nawaz Steals the Spotlight in Florida Thriller
Pulses raced in Florida as Pakistan clinched a tense 14-run win over the West Indies in the first T20I, all thanks to a whirlwind over from left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz. With both sides eyeing an early lead in the three-match series, one inspired spell from Nawaz flipped the script just as the West Indies were cruising in their chase.
Pakistan, sent in to bat on a sun-soaked pitch, put up 178 for 6—a total that was shaped by young opener Saim Ayub’s brisk 57 off 38 balls. Ayub and Fakhar Zaman put pressure on West Indies early, knitting together a lively 81-run partnership that kept boundaries coming and the scoreboard ticking. Fakhar’s power and Ayub’s flair set a platform as the innings picked up pace after a cautious first five overs.
The middle order chipped in but struggled to break free completely, with West Indies’ bowlers keeping things in check during the final overs. Still, 178 looked like a fighting score—not quite out of reach, but demanding a strong chase under the Florida glare.
West Indies’ Bright Start Unraveled by Nawaz’s Magic
Chasing 179, West Indies' openers Johnson Charles and debutant Jewel Andrew got off to the exact kind of start their team wanted. With crisp shots and smart running, the pair built a rock-solid 72-run stand inside the first 11 overs. Both Charles and Andrew stroked their way to valuable 35s, putting their side comfortably ahead of the asking rate at one stage. The home fans started to believe—until fate turned at the hands of Nawaz.
Brought on in the 12th over, Mohammad Nawaz produced pure gold for Pakistan. In the space of six balls, he zipped out three wickets—first Andrew, then Charles, and finally Motie. The scoreboard, which had ticked along smoothly at 75 without loss, suddenly read 75 for 3. Panic set in for the West Indies as one over changed the entire complexion of the game.
The collapse didn’t stop there. Shai Hope walked in but couldn't steady the ship, falling cheaply right after Nawaz’s magic. Pakistan’s bowlers kept tightening the noose as run pressure mounted and wickets kept falling. Saim Ayub, already the batting hero, chipped in with useful leg spin to grab two wickets for just 20 runs, showing off his growing all-round credentials.
Despite some late resistance from the West Indies tail, the hosts just could not recover from the Nawaz-shaped blow. As the final ball was bowled, the scoreboard read 164 for 8—Pakistan’s total proved just enough.
This win hands Pakistan an early edge in the T20I series and a huge boost of confidence, especially seeing their young players and all-rounders like Ayub making a real impact. For the West Indies, it’s a lesson in how quickly things can unravel in T20 cricket—and a reminder that one over, and one bowler, can be the difference between victory and defeat.