On a warm Caribbean night at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Pakistan’s chase of 281 against West Indies had begun steadily, faltered slightly, and then roared to life through two men at very different points in their careers. Hasan Nawaz, making his ODI debut as Pakistan’s 254th cap, and Hussain Talat, returning after six years away from the format, came together at 180 for five and stitched an unbeaten sixth-wicket stand of 104 to secure a five-wicket victory with seven balls in hand.
Hasan’s innings was a blend of composure and clean striking — 63 not out from 53 deliveries, studded with five fours and three sixes. When he joined the fray at 158 for four in the 31st over, the game was still in the balance. Hussain walked in after Rizwan’s dismissal in the 38th over, with 101 still needed from 12. Their immediate counterpunch — 26 runs in the next two overs — shifted the momentum decisively. From there, they paced the chase with maturity, dispatching anything loose, and sealing the win without offering West Indies another opening.
Earlier, Pakistan’s reply had been anchored by Mohammad Rizwan’s 53 from 69 balls. His partnerships with Babar Azam (47 off 64) and Salman Ali Agha (23) ensured the visitors stayed in touch with the required rate after the early loss of Saim Ayub. Abdullah Shafique chipped in with a brisk 29, but once Rizwan was trapped lbw by Shamar Joseph in the 38th over, Pakistan’s lower middle order faced a stern test — one that Hasan and Hussain passed in style.
West Indies’ 280 all out was built on three half-centuries — Evin Lewis’ 60 from 62 balls at the top, captain Shai Hope’s patient 55 from 77, and Roston Chase’s 53 from 54. Their progress to 200 for four in the 42nd over had them poised for a late surge, but Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah tore through the lower order. Shaheen finished with 4 for 51, Naseem 3 for 55, the pair sharing six wickets in a collapse of 6 for 80 across the final nine overs. Naseem’s last act was a pair of searing yorkers to end the innings in successive deliveries.
There were cameos too — Gudakesh Motie’s 18-ball 31 and Keacy Carty’s 30 — but Pakistan’s bowlers, backed by tight spells from their spinners, kept the target within reach. Salman Ali Agha, Saim Ayub, and Sufyan Moqim each bowled their full quota and claimed a wicket, collectively going for 144 from 30 overs.
The win puts Pakistan 1–0 up in the three-match ODI series, adding to the momentum from their T20I triumph on the same tour. For Hasan Nawaz, it was the perfect first step in international cricket; for Hussain Talat, a timely reminder of his value in Pakistan’s middle order.
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