MATCH REPORT
Follow UsPakistan edged past West Indies by nine runs in the second T20 International at the National Stadium in Karachi to seal the series 2-0 with a game to spare.
After electing to bat first, the home team dealt with a massive blow early in the innings as their skipper, Babar Azam, was dismissed for seven runs in the third over as Mohammad Rizwan called for a non-existent single.
With Babar dismissed for not too many, the onus of the side relied heavily on Fakhar Zaman and Rizwan. However, the southpaw was undone by an arm-ball from Akeal Hosein, resulting in Pakistan tottering at 38 for the loss of two wickets.
Despite the stutter, a 48-run partnership between Rizwan and Haider Ali steadied the innings. The duo accumulated the ones and the twos to keep the scoreboard ticking before the wicket-keeper batter was dismissed for a well compiled 38 off 30 deliveries.
With wickets at regular intervals, Pakistan were in a spot of bother at one time. However, a 12-ball 28 run cameo and vital contributions from Haider Ali (31) and Iftikhar Ahmed (32) helped the team get to a massive total of 172 runs for the loss of eight wickets.
Shadab's knock proved to be the turning point in the game as Pakistan amassed 45 runs off the last 18 deliveries to give the side much-needed impetus in the back end of the innings.
In reply, the Windies got off to a horrendous start as they lost Shai Hope and Shamrah Brooks with only 31 runs on the board. The inexperienced batting unit relied heavily on a steady start from the top order in order to pull off this run chase.
With two quick wickets, skipper Nicholas Pooran joined Brandon King in the middle. The duo forged a vital 54-run partnership for the third wicket to keep the Windies in the fray. However, the southpaw was dismissed for 26 runs as he tried to clear long-on but failed to get any distance, with Haris Rauf completing a fine catch.
With wickets tumbling at the other end, King patiently went about his business and notched up his maiden T20I half-century.
Despite his valiant effort of 67 runs off 43 balls studded with six boundaries and three sixes, the Windies fell short by nine runs.
Pakistan have sealed the series 2-0 with a game to spare. The two sides will lock horns on Thursday 16th December at the same venue.