Shahzad’s fifty ensures Pak beat Windies to clinch T20 series

TIL Desk Sports/A patient half-century from opener Ahmed Shahzad helped Pakistan defeat West Indies by seven wickets in the final T20 at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad on Sunday to clinch the four-match series 3-1. Chasing a small target of 125 to seal the series, Pakistan never looked in any sort of trouble and comfortably reached the target with one over to spare.

Pakistan rode on the innings of a resilient batting display from Shahzad, who scored 53 off 45 balls, and anchored the run chase. His inning included six fours and one six. He was well supported by Babar Azam, who scored 38 off 36. Kesrick Williams turned out to be the pick of the bowlers for West Indies as he picked two, whereas part-time off-spinner Marlon Samuels claimed one wicket.

Earlier, the hosts were able to put up only 124 for the loss of eight wickets in their stipulated 20 overs while batting first, owing to some excellent seam bowling performance by Pakistan. Young pacer Hasan Ali and Rumman Raees displayed admirable accuracy and discipline, and took three wickets in tandem besides bowling three maidens as well. Hasan was declared the Man of the Match for his figures of 2-12 while Shadab was adjudged Man of the Series. The two teams will now lock horns in the first ODI of the three-match series beginning April 7 at Providence Stadium, Guyana.