Hasan Nawaz made a remarkable debut in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) by scoring an unbeaten 63 runs, leading Pakistan to a five-wicket victory over the West Indies in the series opener at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad.
Nawaz, along with Hussain Talat, who scored an unbeaten 41, shared a crucial sixth-wicket partnership of 104 runs, securing the win with seven balls remaining in the day-night match.
The West Indies batted first after Pakistan won the toss and scored 280 runs before being bowled out. Evin Lewis was the top scorer with 60 runs off 62 balls, which included three sixes and five fours. Shai Hope and Roston Chase also made significant contributions with half-centuries, scoring 55 and 53 runs, respectively.
Hasan Nawaz and Hussain Talat’s outstanding 💯 stand powers Pakistan to victory after Shaheen Afridi’s four-fer in the first innings 🎯
Pakistan lead the series 1-0 🏏#WIvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/huJEVByfDJ
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 9, 2025For Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi took four wickets, dismissing Brandon King early and later claiming the wicket of Hope. Naseem Shah also had a successful outing, removing Chase, Gudakesh Motie, and Jediah Blades to conclude the innings.
Chasing 281, Pakistan faced a setback when Mohammad Rizwan (53) fell lbw to Shamar Joseph in the 38th over, leaving them 101 runs short. Nawaz and Talat then took charge, with Nawaz hitting a six in the 49th over and sealing the victory with a boundary off Joseph’s final delivery. Nawaz scored 63 off 54 balls (three sixes, five fours), and Talat added 41 off 37 (one six, four fours).
1️⃣0️⃣4️⃣-run stand off just 7️⃣0️⃣ balls
Hasan Nawaz (6️⃣3️⃣*) and Hussain Talat (4️⃣1️⃣*) combined for a heroic partnership in the first ODI 🇵🇰🏏#WIvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/VKmrVxcn8W
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 9, 2025The victory gives Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, with game two scheduled for August 10 and the finale on August 12, 2025, both in Tarouba. Nawaz’s debut performance bolsters Pakistan’s batting depth, complementing efforts from veterans like Babar Azam, who caught key wickets. The match showcased Pakistan’s resilience, rallying from a precarious position to clinch a thrilling win.
Nawaz’s heroics signal the emergence of new talent, potentially easing pressure on senior players amid Babar Azam’s pursuit of ODI century milestones. The win strengthens Pakistan’s momentum in the series, critical for team morale and regional rankings. West Indies, despite strong batting, must regroup to counter Pakistan’s bowling attack led by Afridi and Shah.
