Pakistan beat Windies by 63 runs in T20 series opener

KARACHI, Pakistan (CMC):

A listless effort condemned West Indies to a fifth defeat in their last six Twenty20 (T20) Internationals, as Pakistan cantered to a 63-run victory in the opening game of the three-match series here Monday.

The visitors made a bright start to the contest at the National Stadium when they removed marquee batsman and captain Babar Azam without scoring off the fourth ball, but then failed to contain opener Mohammad Rizwan, who lashed 78 off 52 balls and Haider Ali, who hit 68 from 39 deliveries, as Pakistan gathered an imposing 200 for six off their 20 overs.

Fast bowler Romario Shepherd grabbed two for 43 in his first T20 International in five months but apart from left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein with one for 19 from his four overs, the remaining bowlers all leaked runs.

Needing to score at a shade over ten runs per over, West Indies faltered from the outset and stumbled their way to 137 all out with an over to spare, the run chase crippled by 20-year-old speedster Mohammed Wasim with a career-best four for 40 and leg-spinner Shadab Khan who claimed three for 17.

Opener Shai Hope top-scored with 31 but the knock required 26 balls and cameos by Odean Smith (24) and Rovman Powell (23) were not enough to rescue the innings.