Nawaz scores unbeaten 63, leads Pakistan to five-wicket win over WI

Debutant Hasan Nawaz announced himself on the international stage with an unbeaten 63, guiding Pakistan to a nervy five-wicket win over West Indies in the opening ODI of the three-match series.

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Nawaz’s match-winning knock included a decisive 104-run stand with Hussain Talat as the visitors chased down 281 with seven balls to spare.

“At the start, the spinners were great, but once the dew came in it got easier,” player-of-the match Nawaz told the host broadcaster.

Earlier, the hosts posted 280, riding on half-centuries from Evin Lewis (60), Shai Hope, and Roston Chase. West Indies were well placed early, with Lewis and Keacy Carty setting a brisk tempo above six runs per over.

But Pakistan's spinners seized control, choking the run flow in the middle overs. Faheem Ashraf bowled 27 dot balls in this period, and the squeeze forced errors. Lewis fell attempting to attack Saim Ayub, while Sherfane Rutherford failed to get going.

Hope and Chase steadied the innings, but once Shaheen Shah Afridi (4/51) and Naseem Shah (3/55) found reverse swing, wickets tumbled.