KARACHI: Romareo Shepherd’s cameo was not enough as Pakistan were able to win the 2nd T20I by 9 runs to seal the three-match series at National Stadium in Karachi.
For the home team Mohammad Rizwan top-scored for a second match running with 38 to help Pakistan get to 172-8 before keeping the West Indies down to 163 all out in 20 overs.
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The win gives Pakistan another series with the last game on Thursday, also in Karachi. Pakistan skipper Babar Azam praised man-of-the-match Shadab Khan for his brisk scoring. “The finish from Shadab (with the bat) was very good and then bowlers did well too – especially Shaheen (Shah Afridi),” said Azam. “The idea was to set a target and defend, and play as per the conditions and the wicket.”
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.
