Report - 1st ODI : Pakistan inflict 111-run defeat on West Indies after Babar Azam's exceptional 120

[Abdullah719]

Toss: West Indies won the toss and chose to field.

Teams:

Pakistan: Azhar Ali (c), Sharjeel Khan, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Nawaz, Imad Wasiml, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali.

West Indies: J Charles, KC Brathwaite, DM Bravo, MN Samuels, D Ramdin (wk), KA Pollard, JO Holder (c), CR Brathwaite, SP Narine, SJ Benn, ST Gabriel.

Pakistan Innings

Pakistan could not have had a worse start to their innings as Azhar got a golden duck off the first delivery as Gabriel started strongly. However, Sharjeel and Babar ensured that Pakistan recovered well. It was Sharjeel who went on the offensive first up, as he took the attack to the West Indians. He took a special liking to Brathwaite's bowling, launching him for a couple of sixes. Babar was sedate at the other end, rotating strike to let Sharjeel take control. However, Sharjeel went for one big shot too many after reaching his fifty and was caught at short third-man. Malik came and got out soon, caught at slip off Narine, leaving Pakistan in some bother.

Sarfraz joined Babar at the crease and it was the latter who took control as he began to up the ante a little. It took him a while to reach his 50, 74 balls to be precise. Sarfraz rotated strike well but struggled to hit boundaries. He was eventually dismissed for 35 after a 99-run partnership. Babar eventually reached his maiden hundred off 117 balls. Rizwan was run-out after some miscommunication. At this point, Babar began to cramp up a bit and thus hit out, cleanly launching a couple of big sixes. His stunning innings came to an end as he was caught by Pollard who took an amazing catch at the boundary. Imad and Nawaz got going but there was a sudden stoppage due to floodlight failure; by the time they got back, the match was reduced to 49 overs a side. Pakistan failed to carry on with the same momentum after the break as they ended up with 284/9.

Fall Of Wickets

1-0 (Azhar Ali, 0.1 ov)
2-82 (Sharjeel Khan, 14.2 ov)
3-93 (Shoaib Malik, 17.4 ov)
4-192 (Sarfraz Ahmed, 34.6 ov)
5-211 (Mohammad Rizwan, 39.1 ov)
6-239 (Babar Azam, 42.1 ov)
7-269 (Imad Wasim, 46.3 ov)
8-269 (Wahab Riaz, 46.4 ov)
9-281 (Mohammad Nawaz, 48.1 ov)

West Indies

West Indies began their chase in a sedate manner though Charles looked dangerous at times. However, Amir ensured he couldn't do any major damage as he had him caught behind for 20 with a good delivery bowling around the wicket. Brathwaite and Bravo formed a partnership but were far too sedate as Pakistan bowled tight lines. Hasan Ali came into the attack, getting Brathwaite caught behind with a good delivery. Bravo was next as he was bowled by Nawaz, who got the first of his 4 wickets. Ramdin was next as Azhar took an excellent diving catch while Pollard was also caught at point going for a big shot.

Holder became Imad's only victim of the match as he was bowled by a delivery that drifted in. Samuels and C. Brathwaite formed a short partnership that looked threatening but an exceptional delivery from Nawaz had the latter out, bowled. Samuels fell soon after that as Wahab castled his stumps. Narine and Benn had a short partnership which Wahab thought he had broken when he bowled an excellent yorker to disturb the stumps but it was a no-ball. However, Hasan Ali came on and took care of the tail. A cutter accounted for Narine as he tried going for a big shot, hitting it straight into the air while Gabriel was the last man to fall, bowled by another slower ball by Hasan.

Fall Of Wickets

1-27 (Charles, 7.4 ov)
2-41 (KC Brathwaite, 12.2 ov)
3-54 (Bravo, 16.6 ov)
4-89 (Ramdin, 23.2 ov)
5-99 (Pollard, 25.1 ov)
6-103 (Holder, 26.5 ov)
7-125 (CR Brathwaite, 30.4 ov)
8-135 (Samuels, 33.1 ov)
9-166 (Narine, 36.2 ov)
10-175 (Gabriel, 38.4 ov)

Match Summary:

A good win for Pakistan as they got their 4th consecutive win against a struggling West Indies. It looked like the ODI side's struggles might continue when Azhar was out first ball but a good innings by Sharjeel followed by an exceptional one by Babar and further contributions in the middle order ensured that Pakistan got to a good total. It must be said that West Indies were very poor; they seemed to lack motivation once the pressure was on and their top-order batting was simply too slow, killing the chase off quite early. Pakistan would be very pleased that the main contributors to this win were the youngsters. Babar Azam's hundred shows promising signs for Pakistan's future as he looks to have come off age.

Next Game:

2nd ODI at Sharjah, 2nd October, 11:00 GMT.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

We got Sharjeel and Babar. Next step should be to introduce Umar in the top 4.

 

[Hamza_]

I can't believe it that we are below rankings compared to BD, SL and WI. We could beat all of them right now. Though our ODI Performances have been average but team ain't that bad to be at #9

 

[Gotham Cronie]

I can't believe it that we are below rankings compared to BD, SL and WI. We could beat all of them right now. Though our ODI Performances have been average but team ain't that bad to be at #9

Look at the number of matches. Bangladesh 26, West Indies 30, Pakistan 48.

Pakistan have played nearly the same amount as the two of them combined.

 

[Hamza_]

Look at the number of matches. Bangladesh 26, West Indies 30, Pakistan 48.

Pakistan have played nearly the same amount as the two of them combined.

And we got beatings from England real hard lol. The English team is too good anyways, They were super in UAE even, Expect them to roll over Bangladesh as well. We were robbed white wash in Zimbabwe due to clear cheating in one match with play being stopped. Lost to Kiwis by 2-1 at their home, Were I think about to win another of the match but lost due to drops and stuff. Beat SL at their home in ODIs. IMO Pakistan is as per circumstances #6 team.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

And we got beatings from England real hard lol. The English team is too good anyways, They were super in UAE even, Expect them to roll over Bangladesh as well. We were robbed white wash in Zimbabwe due to clear cheating in one match with play being stopped. Lost to Kiwis by 2-1 at their home, Were I think about to win another of the match but lost due to drops and stuff. Beat SL at their home in ODIs. IMO Pakistan is as per circumstances #6 team.

We didn't beat kiwis 2-1. One game was washed out. Though we should've beaten them 2-0

 

[marlonbrowndo]

I called it almost a year ago. We have to be patient. Slowly we will become a top ODI team again. Just have to perfect the combination and allow them to gel together

 

[Markhor]

5 LOI wins in a row. Pakistan growing in confidence and batting order looking increasingly settled. Only negatives are Wahab's persistent NB issues and Azhar's continuing poor ODI form.

West Indies resemble the dog from the movie Old Yeller, who needed to be taken out back and put out of his misery. Honestly, they are depressing to watch.

Ambling around in the field, sloppy as hell, and their batting against spin has been diabolical. 9-0 is looking on the cards unless they step up their game.

 

[Khan12]

Our odi team will be on the rise soon specially when we get rid of malik, azhar and wahab. Plus we should play either imad or nawaz upside subcontinent.

 

[boomboom6]

We got Sharjeel and Babar. Next step should be to introduce Umar in the top 4.

Both Umar and 1 of Khalid/Shahzaib in the top 4. Top order would become explosive then. Azhar should be told to simply focus on test cricket while Malik should be told that he is not in the plans for 2019 WC hence no place for him.

Sharjeel
Shahzaib/Khalid
Babar
Umar
Sarf (c)
Rizwan/Power Hitter (could play Khalid at 6 too, interesting option)
Imad
Nawaz
Aamir
Sohail
Hasan

 

[Square Drive]

Too easy.

Not surprised.

 

[boomboom6]

Our odi team will be on the rise soon specially when we get rid of malik, azhar and wahab. Plus we should play either imad or nawaz upside subcontinent.

both Imad & Nawaz can play because with Amir, Sohail Khan and Hasan already present as pace bowlers, no need to drop Nawaz for an extra pacer. Nawaz is a genuine wicket taker in longer formats. The more he plays outside UAE the better he'll get.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Both Umar and 1 of Khalid/Shahzaib in the top 4. Top order would become explosive then. Azhar should be told to simply focus on test cricket while Malik should be told that he is not in the plans for 2019 WC hence no place for him.

Sharjeel
Shahzaib/Khalid
Babar
Umar
Sarf (c)
Rizwan/Power Hitter (could play Khalid at 6 too, interesting option)
Imad
Nawaz
Aamir
Sohail
Hasan

I don't rate Shahzaib/Khalid. But between those two, Shahzaib is the better option.

 

[boomboom6]

I don't rate Shahzaib/Khalid. But between those two, Shahzaib is the better option.

Both of them in the team gives us more chances at at least 1 of the available explosive batsmen clicking. It's the need of the hour. Khalid's a slow starter but his power hitting makes up for it which is why I think he'll be even better in ODIs then in T20s since he'll have more time.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Both of them in the team gives us more chances at at least 1 of the available explosive batsmen clicking. It's the need of the hour. Khalid's a slow starter but his power hitting makes up for it which is why I think he'll be even better in ODIs then in T20s since he'll have more time.

It's not their explosive ability that I'm discounting, rather their weaknesses which will be easily exploited in a matter of months. They can get away in T20s but not in ODIs.

 

[srh]

still Pakistan's batting was not good. Only 1 batsman (Sharjeel) play with a 100+ strike rate. Thats not good enough.

 

[Rayyman]

still Pakistan's batting was not good. Only 1 batsman (Sharjeel) play with a 100+ strike rate. Thats not good enough.

Hopefully Azhar Ali and Shoaib Malik will do that in the next game.

 

[Rayyman]

still Pakistan's batting was not good. Only 1 batsman (Sharjeel) play with a 100+ strike rate. Thats not good enough.

Imad Wasim and Mohammad Nawaz both had a strike rate of 100.