Jason Holder holds nerve as West Indies edge Pakistan to level series

LAUDERHILL: Jason Holder held his nerve in a tense final over as the West Indies pulled off a thrilling two-wicket win over Pakistan in the second T20I at Central Broward Regional Park, levelling the three-match series 1-1.

Chasing a modest 134, the hosts wobbled early, courtesy of Mohammad Nawaz, who struck twice in his first two overs.

The left-arm spinner removed Alick Athanaze (2) and then Jewel Andrew (12) to leave the West Indies struggling at 26-2 inside four overs.

Captain Agha Salman rotated his spinners smartly, and Saim Ayub delivered next, sending back Sherfane Rutherford (9) before Nawaz returned to dismiss Shai Hope (21), making it 53 for 4 by the 11th over.

West Indies clawed back through Roston Chase and Gudakesh Motie, but Saim pegged them back again by getting rid of Chase for 16.

Motie then turned aggressor, launching two sixes off Hasan Ali to shift the pressure back on Pakistan.

But a sharp run-out by Mohammad Haris ended his brisk 28, and Muqeem added further damage by removing Keacy Carty, leaving the host reeling at 98-7.

Needing 36 off the last 18 balls, Holder and Romario Shepherd calmly plotted the chase.

Holder pounced on a wayward Hasan over to ease the pressure, and though Shaheen Afridi removed Shepherd in the final over, the experienced all-rounder sealed the win with a boundary off the last ball.

He remained unbeaten on 16 off 10.

For Pakistan, Nawaz stood out with 3 for 14 in four overs. Saim took 2 for 20, while Muqeem and Shaheen chipped in with a wicket each.

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Earlier, Pakistan’s decision to bat first didn’t go to plan.

Jason Holder struck early to remove Saim Ayub (7) and Sahibzada Farhan (3), before Akeal Hosein dismissed Haris (4), leaving the visitors reeling at 21 for 3.

Fakhar Zaman (20) and Agha Salman stitched a brief stand, but Motie’s tight spell ensured no breathing room. Salman top-scored with 38 off 33 balls, adding 60 with Hassan Nawaz, whose quickfire 40 brought momentum back.

But Holder returned to derail the innings once again, claiming the wickets of Hassan Nawaz and Mohammad Nawaz to finish with outstanding figures of 4 for 19.

Motie polished off the tail, removing Salman and Faheem Ashraf (0) in one over.

Pakistan ended on 133 for 8, with Shaheen Afridi (2*) and Muqeem (1*) unbeaten.

The West Indies and Pakistan will face each other in the decider at the same venue tomorrow.

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