West Indies Snap Losing Streak with Gutsy Win Against Pakistan
The crowd at Central Broward Park in Lauderhill, Florida, got every bit of drama they bargained for as the West Indies scraped past Pakistan by two wickets in the second T20I, leveling the series 1-1. The win wasn’t just about leveling the scoreline; it was a huge boost for a team that hadn’t tasted success in this format since May, having lost six straight T20Is. That kind of burden isn’t easy to carry, so when Jason Holder struck the decisive four, you could feel the relief around the West Indies camp.
After Pakistan captain Babar Azam called correctly at the toss and chose to bat first, things didn’t quite go as planned for his side. Pakistan couldn’t put together meaningful partnerships as the West Indies bowlers, led by Akeal Hosein, kept things tight from the get-go. Pakistan managed just 133 in their allotted 20 overs. Not a single batsman could get past 25—it was a story of starts but no finishes. Akeal Hosein kept it especially tidy, highlighted by moments like his delivery to Sahibzada Farhan for a single. The pitch didn’t seem to offer much for the batters, but the visiting side certainly made life even harder for themselves by losing regular wickets.
The Pakistan innings felt disjointed. Runs were hard to come by, and even when someone looked set for a breakthrough, the Windies found a way to peg them back. When all was said and done, Pakistan's 133 never looked like a winning total, but with the West Indies' poor run of form, nothing felt certain. Hasan Ali’s struggles late on, conceding 16 in the 19th over, proved costly, but at the time, even the hosts doubted their chase.
Holder and Motie Deliver Under Pressure
The chase was a rollercoaster. West Indies lost wickets in clumps, making the modest chase look tricky. At one stage, it seemed like nerves might get the better of them, but it was Gudakesh Motie who stepped up, showing surprising confidence with the bat. Motie's energetic 28 off 20 balls, including two boundaries and a six, swung the momentum back. Shai Hope chipped in with a cool-headed 21 from 18 balls as the two stitched together a 45-run partnership. Without that stand, the hosts could have been staring at another defeat.
But the real tension gripped the stadium as the teams entered the final two overs. West Indies still needed 24 from 12 balls. Enter Romario Shepherd with Holder, and suddenly, the run rate started to drop as Shepherd found his mark. Pakistan's Hasan Ali faltered under pressure, leaking runs when it mattered most. In the last over, Shaheen Afridi was handed the ball—known for his ice-cold nerves in tight finishes. It was West Indies' veteran Jason Holder who changed the script. With 8 needed off the last six, Shepherd took a single, only to be dismissed next ball. Then, newcomer Shamar Joseph coolly nabbed two singles, closing the gap, before a Shaheen wide made things even closer. With four still to get from two legal deliveries, Afridi delivered a free hit—and Holder made no mistake, hammering a boundary over the field. That was the shot that secured not just the win but also *West Indies*’ first T20I victory in more than two months.
The final scorecard told the story: West Indies 135 for 8 in 20 overs, with sparks from Motie, Hope, Holder, and Shepherd, just getting past Pakistan's 133. The visitors will regret their inability to post a defendable total and the inability to hold their nerve at the death. For West Indies, this win means more than evening the series—it’s proof that fighting spirit still runs deep in the Caribbean squad. All eyes now turn to the deciding match, with both teams desperate for a morale-boosting series win. The tension isn’t going anywhere.