Pakistan’s ODI captain Mohammad Rizwan has heaped praise on debutant Hassan Nawaz and all-rounder Hussain Talat for their match-winning partnership that sealed a five-wicket victory against the West Indies in the series opener on Friday at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Rizwan lauded the pair’s calmness in a pressure situation.
“Hasan Nawaz and Talat deserve all the credit. The conditions weren’t easy, but to have that partnership coming in at seven, I want to give a lot of credit to Hussain Talat,” he said.
The skipper also reflected on the team’s bowling performance, noting areas for improvement.
“We want to improve a bit on our bowling. The ball was gripping in the first half and towards the end, we gave a few too many runs, I feel,” he remarked.
On the mindset of the bowling unit, Rizwan added: “Bowlers are happy because they feel it (having a single ball after the 34th over) can reverse, and there was a different feeling among the bowling group.”
Pakistan’s chase led by experienced hands
Chasing 281, Pakistan had a shaky start when Saim Ayub fell for five to Jayden Seales in the third over. Abdullah Shafique (29) and Babar Azam (47) rebuilt the innings, with Babar adding a 55-run stand with Rizwan.
Rizwan, who reached his 16th ODI fifty, was dismissed for 53 by Shamar Joseph. At 180-5, debutant Hassan Nawaz and Talat stepped up with a composed 104-run unbeaten stand for the sixth wicket.
Hassan, dropped during his knock, remained unbeaten on 63 off 54 balls, striking five fours and three sixes. Talat contributed 41* off 37 balls as Pakistan chased down the target in 48.5 overs.
West Indies innings anchored by hope, lewis and chase
Earlier, the West Indies posted 280 before being bowled out in the 49th over. Evin Lewis top-scored with 60, Shai Hope added 55, and Roston Chase made 53, while Gudakesh Motie’s late 31 off 18 balls boosted the total.
Shaheen Afridi shone with the ball, taking 4-51, while Naseem Shah claimed 3-55. Saim Ayub, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Salman Ali Agha took one wicket each.
With this win, Pakistan lead the three-match series 1-0, with the second ODI set for Sunday.
