Wasim leads Pakistan’s rout of WI

DUBAI, Friday – Left-arm spinner Imad Wasim took a career best five for 14 to help Pakistan defeat world Twenty20 champions West Indies by nine wickets in the first match in Dubai on Friday.

Wasim’s spin assault routed the West Indies for a low score of 115 in 19.5 overs which Pakistan surpassed in 14.2 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Dwayne Bravo hit a gritty half-century to avoid a total disaster, adding a new world record Twenty20 stand of 66 runs for the ninth wicket with Jerome Taylor who made 21.

Pakistan had lost opener Sharjeel Khan for 22 in the fourth over but Babar Zaman (55 not out) and Khalid Latif (34 not out) ensured the target was chased down comfortably. Babar hit two consecutive fours to bring up the victory, hitting two sixes and six boundaries overall in his 37-ball knock. Earlier, Bravo scored a 54-ball 55 for his fourth half-century and lifted the world champions from a precarious 48-8 in 11.3 overs before being bowled off the penultimate ball. Wasim made his career milestone in his four destructive overs -- the third

best figures for Pakistan in all Twenty20 cricket -- after Sarfraz Ahmed won the toss and opted to bowl on a slow turner at Dubai stadium.

The victory gave Pakistan’s new T20 captain Sarfraz Ahmed two in two after taking over in his team’s nine wicket win over England at Manchester earlier this month.

The second match will also be played in Dubai on Saturday while the third is in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. Both teams will also play three one-day internationals and as many Tests. AFP

Scores:

West Indies 115 in 19.5 overs (D Bravo 55, J Taylor 21, Imad Wasim 5/14, Sohail Tanvir 2/26)

Pakistan 116-1 in 14.2 overs (Sharjeel Khan 22, Khalid Latif 34 n.o., Babar Zaman 55 n.o.)