Pakistan chased 281 runs to win the 1st ODI against West Indies by 5 wickets at Brian Lara Stadium, Trinidad in 2025.
Match Highlights and Key Moments
1. Toss & Team Decision
- Pakistan won the toss and elected to field first, opting to chase the total on a pitch that offered good balance between bat and ball.
2. West Indies Innings: Competitive Total Posted
West Indies posted a competitive 280 all out in 49 overs, with important contributions from Shai Hope and Keacy Carty helping set a challenging target.
Key Bowling Figures – Pakistan:
- Shaheen Afridi: 4 wickets for 51 runs
- Naseem Shah: 3 wickets for 55 runs
3. Fall of Wickets: West Indies
- Brandon King – 4/1 (0.5 overs)
- Keacy Carty – 81/2 (14.2 overs)
- Evin Lewis – 105/3 (18.6 overs)
- Sherfane Rutherford – 136/4 (25.3 overs)
- Shai Hope – 200/5 (40.2 overs)
4. Pakistan Innings: Confident Chase
- Pakistan maintained a composed batting effort to successfully reach the target, ending their innings at 284 for 5 in just under 49 overs.
- Key contributions came from Mohammad Rizwan, who scored 53 runs before getting out lbw, and Babar Azam, who made 47 runs.
- Hasan Nawaz and Hussain Talat provided valuable late innings support with scores of 63 and 41 respectively.
Key Bowling Figures – West Indies:
- Jayden Seales: 1 wicket for 59 runs
- Shamar Joseph: 2 wickets for 65 runs
5. Fall of Wickets: Pakistan
- Saim Ayub – 16/1 (2.6 overs)
- Abdullah Shafique – 63/2 (11.6 overs)
- Babar Azam – 118/3 (23.3 overs)
- Salman Agha – 158/4 (30.4 overs)
- Mohammad Rizwan – 180/5 (37.2 overs)
6. Partnerships That Shaped the Game
West Indies:
- Shai Hope & Sherfane Rutherford: Added a crucial 31-run partnership that helped stabilize the innings after early wickets.
- Keacy Carty & Shai Hope: Their 24-run stand provided some rebuilding in the middle overs.
- Romario Shepherd & Roston Chase: Forged a valuable 33-run partnership late in the innings, boosting the total past 280 runs.
Pakistan:
- Babar Azam & Mohammad Rizwan: Their 62-run stand in the middle overs kept Pakistan on track despite some quick wickets.
- Salman Agha & Hasan Nawaz: A calm 63-run partnership at the death ensured Pakistan finished comfortably.
7. Turning Points of the Match
- Brandon King’s early dismissal created pressure, but Evin Lewis’s crucial 60-run innings stabilized West Indies and set a solid foundation for the middle order.
- Inability to build long partnerships beyond the middle order limited their scoring potential.
- The bowling during Pakistan’s chase lacked consistent breakthroughs in the middle overs.
- Shaheen Afridi’s early spell, taking 4 crucial wickets, disrupted the core of the West Indies batting lineup.
- Meanwhile, Mohammad Rizwan’s calm and composed innings as captain helped stabilize the chase after early setbacks.
- Tight bowling spells by Naseem Shah and Sufiyan Muqeem restricted scoring opportunities, especially in the middle overs.
8. Player of the Match
- Hasan Nawaz scored an unbeaten 63 runs off 54 balls, playing a crucial role in Pakistan’s successful chase and earning him the Player of the Match award.
9. Match Summary
- West Indies posted 280 runs but could not defend the total as Pakistan chased successfully, winning by 5 wickets in the 1st ODI at Brian Lara Stadium, setting the tone for an exciting series ahead.
10. Series Impact and Standings
- Pakistan’s victory in the opening ODI gives them a crucial 1-0 lead in the 5-match series, boosting their confidence and momentum. West Indies will be eager to bounce back and level the series in the upcoming matches. This result sets up a competitive battle as both teams adjust strategies for the next games.
👀 What’s Next?
- Both teams are gearing up for the 2nd ODI, with Pakistan focused on sustaining their winning momentum. Meanwhile, West Indies will be looking to strengthen their batting and bowling performances to bounce back strongly in the upcoming match. The next game promises to be a crucial encounter in the series.