📜 Match Overview
The second ODI between Pakistan and West Indies turned into a nightmare for the Green Shirts as the visitors succumbed to a 5-wicket defeat, allowing West Indies to level the series at 1-1.
Pakistan’s batting struggled to post a competitive total, and despite early breakthroughs, poor bowling changes and sloppy fielding let the Caribbean side take control.
🏏 Pakistan’s Batting Struggles
Pakistan were restricted to 171/7 in 37 overs after rain shortened the match.
- Saim Ayub (23 off 31) provided a decent start but couldn’t push on.
- Babar Azam fell for a rare duck, increasing the pressure early.
- Mohammad Rizwan (16 off 38) and Abdullah Shafique (26 off 40) struggled to rotate the strike.
- Hussain Talat played a fighting knock of 31 off 32, but wickets kept tumbling.
- Debutant Hasan Nawaz was the standout with an unbeaten 36 off 30 balls, smashing 3 sixes to lift Pakistan’s score in the final overs.
Despite late hitting, Pakistan’s total of 171 was well below par on this surface.
🎯 West Indies’ Chase — Calm & Calculated
Chasing 181 in 35 overs (DLS target), West Indies got off to a shaky start, losing Brandon King (1) and Evin Lewis (7) early to Hasan Ali.
- Keacy Carty struggled to score freely, making just 16 off 42 before falling to Abrar Ahmed.
- Captain Shai Hope (32) steadied the innings but was stumped by Rizwan off Mohammad Nawaz.
- The real game-changer was Sherfane Rutherford (45 off 33) who smashed 4 fours and 3 sixes.
- Roston Chase (49*) and Justin Greaves (26*) guided West Indies home with an unbeaten partnership.
West Indies finished on 184/5 in 33.2 overs, sealing a comfortable win.
⚠️ Pakistan’s Bowling & Fielding — Areas of Concern
Pakistan’s bowlers failed to maintain pressure, allowing easy singles and boundary opportunities.
- Inconsistent line and length gave West Indies’ batters confidence.
- Dropped catches and misfields cost crucial runs.
- Lack of variation in the middle overs made it easy for West Indies to keep the required rate in control.
These issues highlight that Pakistan must tighten their bowling discipline and improve fielding standards if they want to win the series.
⚠️ Pakistan’s Bowling & Fielding Concerns
Pakistan’s bowling attack failed to maintain pressure in the middle overs.
- Hasan Ali (2/35) and Mohammad Nawaz (2/17) were the only bright spots.
- Shaheen Afridi went wicketless, conceding 35 in 6 overs.
- Salman Agha was expensive, giving away 33 runs in 3 overs.
- Multiple misfields and dropped chances allowed West Indies to rotate strike and build partnerships easily.
🌦 Pitch & Weather Conditions Recap
The pitch offered decent bounce for seamers early on, but the slowness of the surface helped spinners later.
Weather interruptions shortened the game, forcing both sides to adjust their strategies. West Indies’ adaptability was far better than Pakistan’s.
🔮 Series Outlook — Decider on the Line
With the series now tied at 1-1, the third ODI will decide the winner.
- Pakistan must improve strike rotation and middle-overs bowling.
- West Indies will look to carry forward their batting confidence and expose Pakistan’s weaknesses.
🏆 Final Thoughts
This defeat was a wake-up call for Pakistan. Poor batting, lack of intensity in bowling, and fielding lapses cost them dearly.
West Indies showed discipline, adaptability, and aggression, proving they are not just tourists but strong contenders for the series.