The Men in Green posted 275/8 in the first innings on the back of Babar Azam and Imam ul Haq’s fifties. Left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz picked four for 19 as they claimed the win by 120 runs at Multan Cricket Stadium on June 10.
Unlike the first ODI of the series, Pakistan made easy work of the Windies in the second game by registering a comprehensive win. With this victory, the Babar Azam-led team took an unassailable lead of 2-0 with one match to go.
Babar and ul Haq continued their magnificent form with the bat with individual fifties, while bringing in Nawaz recorded his best bowling figures in the format en route to a 120-run victory.
Azam won the toss and decided to bat first. Pakistan lost Fakhar Zaman (17) early, but their captain and ul Haq were superb yet again. The duo put on a 120-run partnership for the second wicket. Babar followed his three consecutive centuries with 77 in this game. Ul Haq brought up his fifth consecutive fifty-plus score with a run-a-ball 72.
Akeal Hosein (3 for 52) and Alzarri Joseph (2 for 33) brought WI back in the game with some quick wickets. But some handy contributions from Pakistan’s lower order propelled them to 275/8.
Chasing the target, West Indies got off to the worst possible start as in-form Shai Hope fell to Shaheen Afridi in the very first over. Kyle Mayers (33) and Shamarh Brooks (42) showed some promise but things went downhill quickly after Mayers’ dismissal.
Nawaz ran through the Windies middle order, dismissing Brooks, Brandon King, Nicholas Pooran and Rovman Powell. Shadab Khan and Mohammad Wasim then wrapped up the things, ending with figures of 2/40 and 3/34, respectively.
Pakistan now sit fourth in the ICC CWC Super League, now having 80 points from 14 matches. They would love to cap off the series with another 10 points and a clean sweep when the two teams meet on Sunday.
Brief scores
Pakistan – 275/8 in 50 overs ( Azam 77, ul Haq 72; Hosein 3/52, Joseph 2/33)
West Indies – 155 in 32.2 overs (Brooks 42, Mayers 33; Nawaz 4/19, Wasim 3/34)
