It seemed like Pakistan had lost its way. Enter Khushdil Shah.
The diminutive left-hander, who was only 5’4″, won the first ODI against the West Indies with three sixes from three consecutive balls to delight a packed Multan Cricket stadium in the early hours Thursday morning.
After Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam, century-making captains, were quickly dismissed by the West Indies, it seemed that they had tightened their grip on Pakistan as they chase 306.
Khushdil was aware that the asking rate was rising and Romario Shepherd had to be taken to the cleaners in 47th over. The first six went over mid-wicket and the second straight down before the third was over long-on.
After starting the over, Khushdil hit to end it with 24 off.
There was more drama to come. In the next over Shadab Khan was out. The nerveless Khushdil won Pakistan the match in a thrilling finale. Pakistan won by five wickets, with a towering six in the penultimate run. Mohammad Nawaz scored the winning runs. Jayden Seales was then able to score a six in the second over.
Khushdil’s 23-ball 41 was not outshadowed by Babar’s103, Rizwan’s 59, and opener Imam-ul-Haq’s 65. Imam-ul-Haq had partnerships of 103 with Babar and Rizwan and then 108 between Rizwan and Babar. This set the stage for the final heroics.
Prior to the match, the focus was on Multan’s intense heat. There were many water breaks throughout the match to help keep players hydrated.
Also Read: Babar Azam rules out the possibility of playing Shan Masood at Middle Order
After West Indies decided to bat, opener Shai hope scored an impressive century with 305-8.
Pakistan had an ideal start with Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissing Kyle Myers. However, Hope (127) and Shamarh (70) combined for the 154 runs that put the West Indies on the right track for a huge total.
Pakistan responded late with Haris Rauf, pacer for Pakistan, picking up four wickets. However Rovman Powell (32) & Shepherd (25) helped the tourists surpass the 300 mark.
Pakistan’s opener Fakhar Zaman was lost early, but Babar (who hit nine fours) and Imam kept the innings on track. Rizwan made sure Pakistan continued to run at a high pace after Imam was out.
Scoreboard
WEST INDIA:
S. Hope b Haris 127
K. Mayers c & b Shaheen Shah Afridi 3
S. Brooks c Shadab b Nawaz 70
N. Pooran c Khushdil b Haris 21
B. King c & b Shadab 4
R. Powell c M. Haris b Shaheen32
R. Shepherd c Nawaz b Haris 25
A. Hosein c Hasan b Haris 8
A. Joseph is not out 1
H. Walsh is not out 2
EXTRAS (B-5, LB-2, W-5) 12
TOTAL (for eight wickets, 50 overs) 305
DID NOT BAT: Jayden Seales
FALL OF WICKETS: 1-9 (Mayers), 2-163 (Brooks), 3-198 (Pooran), 4-216 (King), 5-243 (Hope), 6-284 (Powell), 7-302 (Shepherd), 8-302 (Hosein)
BOWLING: Shaheen 10-1-55-2, Hasan 10-0-68-0, Haris 10-0-77-4, Nawaz 10-0-61-1, Shadab 10-0-37-1
PAKISTAN:
Fakhar Zaman, c Brooks, b Seals 11
Imam-ul-Haq c Seales b Hosein 65
Babar Azam c Mayers b Joseph 103
Mohammad Rizwan c Pooran b Shepherd 59
Khushdil Shah is not out 41
Shadab Khan c Pooran b Joseph 6
Mohammad Nawaz not out 8
EXTRAS (W-13), 13
TOTAL (for five weeks; in 49.2overs) 306
DID NOT BAT : Mohammad Haris and Hasan Ali. Shaheen Shah Shah Afridi.
FALL OF WICKETS: 1-26 (Fakhar), 2-129 (Imam), 3-237 (Babar), 4-256 (Rizwan), 5-284 (Shadab) BOWLING: Seales 9.2-1-53 -1, Shepherd 9-0-70-1, Joseph 10-0-55-2, Mayers 6-0-50-1, Hosein 10-0-50-1, Walsh 5-0-39-0
