Pakistan peak at the right time ahead of Asia Cup with T20I series triumph

Dubai: Just weeks before the Asia Cup, Pakistan showed they’re peaking at the right time — thanks to a sizzling opening stand and a disciplined bowling effort that sealed a 13-run win over West Indies and the T20I series 2-1 on Sunday.

With the series level at 1-1, Pakistan’s top order rose to the occasion once again. Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub combined for a blistering 138-run opening stand that laid the foundation for a competitive total of 189 for 4 after choosing to bat first.

Ayub's strong show

Farhan was the aggressor, hammering 74 off 53 balls with five sixes and three fours before falling to Shamar Joseph in the 17th over. Ayub, continuing his strong run of form, played the anchor role with 66 from 49 deliveries, including two sixes and four boundaries. It was his second half-century of the series.

The West Indies got off to a rapid start in their chase, smashing 30 runs from the first 10 deliveries bowled by Hasan Ali and Mohammad Nawaz. But once the early momentum was checked, Pakistan’s bowling unit took control.

West Indies lose grip after key wicket

Haris Rauf made the first breakthrough by removing Jewel Andrew for 24, caught at long-on by Hasan Ali with the score at 44. The key wicket of Shai Hope followed soon after, as he was caught off Nawaz for just seven in the ninth over.

Alick Athanaze kept West Indies in the contest with a composed 60, but his dismissal in the 13th over — caught by Khushdil Shah off Ayub — proved to be the turning point. With 80 runs needed off the final 42 balls, the hosts began to lose grip.

There was further drama when Roston Chase retired hurt at the end of the 17th over. His replacement, Jason Holder — the hero of the previous night’s win — was bowled for a duck by Sufiyan Muqeem just two balls later, leaving the West Indies 41 runs short with 16 deliveries remaining.

Sherfane Rutherford briefly threatened to take the game deep, bringing up his fifty with a six in the final overs. But his dismissal for 51 snuffed out any hopes of another last-over miracle.

Farhan, named Player of the Match, credited his partnership with Ayub for setting the tone. “The conditions were similar to last night, but Saim and I planned to play positively and attack loose balls. I’m enjoying batting with him — we complement each other well,” he said, adding that focus now shifts to the upcoming tri-nation series and the Asia Cup.

Showing great character

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha hailed the collective effort: “It was a team performance. Making 190 on this surface was a big boost. The spinners bowled brilliantly — Sufiyan brought us back, Haris bowled well, Faheem and Hasan showed great character in the final overs. Sufiyan and Abrar are big assets for us.”

He added, “Whatever the series, we take it seriously. As long as we focus on the process, we have enough talent to win consistently.”