After 63-run defeat in the series opener, West Indies produced a much-improved performance but still found themselves nine runs short as Pakistan registered their 19th T20 International win of 2021 on Tuesday. Windies were on course for their first win against Pakistan since 2017, but a magical 17th over from Shaheen Afridi proved the difference between the two sides. Chasing a 173-run target, Romario Shepherd (35 not out off 19) kept the Windies hopes alive after a brilliant 67 from Brandon King.
But the visitors eventually failed to counter Pakistani pacers. And they were dismissed for 163 in the final over at National Stadium, Karachi. Pakistan, thanks to the nine-run win, have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Brendon King knocked a fluent 43-ball 67 his maiden T20I half century with three towering sixes and six boundaries but Pakistan bowlers were tough to handle for other batsmen.
Romario Shepherd tried to stop the inevitable with a fiery 19-ball 35 not out spiced with two sixes and as many boundaries but failed to get the required 23 off the last over.
Lanky pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi (3-26), fellow fast bowlers Mohammad Wasim (2-39) and Haris Rauf (2-40) and spinner Mohammad Nawaz (2-36) shared the bowling honours.
With 61 needed in the last five overs, King hoisted pacer Haris Rauf for a big six but fell next ball while attempting another maximum, caught near the long-on boundary.
Nicholas Pooran (26 off as many balls) helped King add 54 for the third wicket but Nawaz ended the partnership with Pooran holding out in the deep.
Odean Smith hit a six and a boundary in his short stay of 12 before Shaheen dismissed him off the first ball of 17th over ans then removed Dominic Drakes and Hayden Walsh off successive deliveries.
The third and final T20 is scheduled for Thursday (December 16) at the same venue. After that, the two will play a three-match ODI series, also in Karachi.
Brief scores: Pakistan 172/8 in 20 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 38, Iftikhar Ahmed 32; Odean Smith 2-24) beat West Indies 163 in 20 overs (Brandon King 67, Romario Shepherd 35*; Shaheen Shah Afridi 3-26, Mohammad Nawaz 2-36) by 9 runs.
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Congratulations to @TheRealPCB on another series win. Very impressive team. West Indies we’re impressive as well and showed good improvement for a young developing team.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) December 14, 2021