Two days after Australia clinched the three One Day International (ODI) series against the West Indies 2-1 at Kensington Oval in Barbados, the home team immediately kicked off the Osaka Presents PSO Carient T20 Cup against Pakistan on Wednesday 28th July at the same venue. There were no results in that match due to rain.
The two teams will face each other this weekend (Saturday 31st July and Sunday 1st August) in back-to-back matches at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence. The fourth and final T20I will be played on Tuesday 3rd at the same venue from 11.00 a.m.
For the first match, rain denied Pakistan an opportunity to chase a target of 86, causing a blow to the sides T20 World Cup preparation.
West Indies, put into bat in this no result game which was shortened to nine overs, scored 85 for the loss of 5 wickets with captain Kieron Pollard top scoring with 22 not out from 9 deliveries which included 1 four and 2 sixes, taking 12 runs off the last three balls of the innings.
Playing in his first match for Pakistan, Mohammad Wasim, a strongly built fast-medium bowler, forced Lendl Simmons to retire hurt with a blow on his neck with the score on 16, Simmons was 9 at the time from 7 deliveries.
Evin Lewis went soon after, caught by Shaheen Shah Afridi at mid-on off the bowling of Hasan Ali for 6 with the score on 16.
Wicketkeeper batsman Nicholas Pooran who came in at No. 4 hit two massive sixes off Mohammad Hafeez but was dismissed in the same over for 13, 37 for 2 inside the fourth over, Pooran was caught at point by Shadab Khan.
Despite losing Lewis and Pooran at crucial intervals, the Pakistan bowlers did well to contain the West Indies power hitters. Andre Russel went for 7 with the score on 51 for 3 after 5.5 overs, the replays confirming there was a top edge as the ball went to wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan.
With the score still on 51, Mohammed Wasim would go on to claim the prize wicket of the Universe Boss, Chris Gayle, caught by Hassan Ali down at long-on for 7 after 6.1 overs, while Shimron Hetmyer went for 5 caught by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan. Jason Holder remained 2 not out.
Bowling for Pakistan, Hasan Ali took 2 for 11, Usman Qaida 1 for 6, Mohammad Hafeez 1 for 12 and Mohammad Wasim 1 for 20.
Following the fourth and final T20 International on Tuesday August 3rd, the two teams will then travel to Jamaica for two Betway Test matches to be played at Sabina Park. 1st Test – Thursday 12 to 16th and 2nd Test – Friday 20th to 24th.
This is the first Test Series for the West Indies in the new 2021- 2023 ICC World Test Championship.
