Going into Tarouba, the West Indies were feeling optimistic; the home side compiled a respectable total of 280, benefitting from solid innings from Evin Lewis and Shai Hope. It seemed that the Windies were in reasonable control of the game until Pakistan appeared with a steady chase of the total that kept whittling away at the target until eventually taking the game with seven balls remaining. What did the home side get wrong? Let’s look at the three main reasons why the West Indies lost against Pakistan in a thrilling first ODI.
Batting Collapse and Missed Opportunities
Right from the very start of the West Indies’ batting innings, it was a story of near-empty potential littered with flashes of brilliance. The batting line-up had its moments—Lewis’ 60 off 62 balls was a rock upon which Hope built the innings with a captain’s performance of 55, and although there was a promising opening partnership, there was very little else in terms of order after Brandon King departed early. The middle-order batting scenario rarely followed through consistently after that. Rapid wickets falling in the 40-50 over stretch halted the West Indies’ surge, stopping them from fully opening up the game.
Although Gudakesh Motie’s fiery resistance of 31 off just 18 balls provided a bit of late innings action, the Windies lost the original pace and rhythm they had. The failure to build a killer partnership and anticipation of acceleration at the death phase of the innings cost runs and put additional pressure on bowlers in the West Indies squad to save them from complete collapse.
Hasan Nawaz’s Match-winning Knock
Then came the game-changer, Pakistan’s Hasan Nawaz, man of the match, who handled the challenge like a seasoned finisher and finished unbeaten 63 off 54. It was more than just runs on the board for Pakistan; it was a statement. Nawaz’s boundaries and sixes were central to tearing the West Indies attack apart, and drastically speeding the run chase when it appeared Pakistan had no chance moments earlier.
Rizwan and Azam’s contributions were vital, but it was Nawaz’s counterattacking explosion that took the game. Nawaz’s ability to read the bowlers and to hit shots under pressure, especially during the death overs, gave Pakistan an upper hand in comfortably chasing the total.
Poor Adaptation to Conditions and Fielding Lapses
To summarize, the West Indies did not adapt to the conditions, and when challenged, their deficiencies were apparent in their fading in the field and bowling plans. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah managed to make the most of the conditions and take a few key wickets whilst also managing the run rate for Pakistan. Time and again, very slow and reluctant fielders with their extras – 24 in total, including 10 wides – allowed Pakistan easy runs at crucial stages of the match.
The bowlers did not put together any consistent lines and lengths to bowl, especially in their middle overs, allowing the Pakistan batsmen to settle into an innings and build partnerships. It was a textbook demonstration of the home team not responding quickly enough to the effects of their opponents’ plan and also the conditions.
In the end, the West Indies had some potential, but Pakistan executed calmly, and in the end, they deserved to win. The hosts displayed some flashes of brilliance, but not enough sustained instances of play to genuinely challenge a very capable Pakistan team, and it was a match of phases, and Pakistan’s crunch performances did the job.
Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.
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