Shadab Khan at the double to help Pakistan beat West Indies in Bridgetown

26 March 2017 08:53

Teenage leg-spinner Shadab Khan sparkled on his international bow to inspire Pakistan to a six-wicket victory over West Indies in the first of four Twenty20s.

The 18-year-old took two wickets in his first over, with a googly trapping Chadwick Walton in front before a regulation legbreak cleaned up Lendl Simmons, and that became three in eight balls when Sunil Narine holed out to long-on.

Shadab eventually returned three for seven from his allotment as the Windies, put in to bat in Bridgetown, limped to 111 for eight. That they went past three figures was largely thanks to captain Carlos Brathwaite's unbeaten 34 from 27 deliveries.

The recalled Kamran Akmal, playing his first international match in three years, helped Pakistan off to a decent start with 22 from 17 balls.

Babar Azam played the anchor role with a near run-a-ball 29 but once he departed - caught at short third man to give Jason Holder a second wicket - it was left to Shoaib Malik to wrap up proceedings.

Malik thumped three fours and a six over midwicket in his unbeaten 38 from 29 balls to steer Pakistan to their fifth consecutive victory in this format with 17 balls to spare.

Source: PA