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That will be all then from this 2nd T20I. Pakistan have sealed the series but if this contest was anything to go by, West Indies will surely come hard to salvage a win ahead of the one-dayers to follow. The final T20I will be played on Thursday at the same venue so do join us for our coverage of the same while keeping yourselves up to date with all the other cricketing news and action from across the globe here on Sportskeeda. Thank you so much for tuning into our coverage of this game which we hope you enjoyed just as much as we did bringing to you. On behalf of my good friend and co-commentator Pratyush Rohra, this is Sooryanarayanan Sesha humbly reminding you to mask up and get vaccinated in case you haven't already. Goodnight and take care!
Babar Azam (Pakistan Captain): I think the way we finished was brilliant - Shadab played a really good innings. We were looking for 170-180. Shaheen was really good and the spinners bowled really well too. Overall a very good performance. We try to set a target and defend it. We try to plan according to the wicket and today the idea was that it might slow down since it's a used wicket. The way Wasim is improving day by day it's a great sign for the team. The more he plays the more experienced he becomes. We will look to check our bench strength in the next game.
Nicholas Pooran (West Indies Captain): Thanks to the Almighty for the opportunity. Tough one for us - big improvement from yesterday. I felt we had this one but I'm very proud of how we played tonight. I think all our boys bowled really well and hit the pitch hard. We had a simple plan and I'm glad we were able to execute. The plan was to take up responsibility and try to take the game into the 20th over. I thought we played the first 10 overs really well. Myself getting out and then Kingy getting out after getting 60 odd was big - one of us should have been there at the end. Very proud of how Shepherd has played - he has been working hard on his game. Hopefully we can come back stronger in the coming games.
Shadab Khan (Player of the Match): When I go to bat, it is usually the death overs. You have to make use of the 4-5 balls you get and I keep practicing that. That paid off today. You get an idea of what the bowler wants to try with the field he sets. With the ball, it wasn't gripping a lot. I was in good rhythm and was just looking to bowl in the right areas.
Time for the presentation...
It was not going to be an easy chase for this young West Indian outfit but they fought hard. Right from the top, there was intent but in the end, it just wasn't enough. You've got to spare a thought for the manner in which they've clawed back but alas, it just wasn't to be.
Mohammad Wasim Jr. prized out Shai Hope early in the innings but Brandon King came out with his intentions well and truly clear. Despite Shamarh Brooks starting quickly off the blocks, he wasn't able to last beyond four deliveries and it was the duo of King and skipper Nicholas Pooran that reinstated a semblance of assurance to the innings.
The visitors passed the 50-run mark by the end of the Powerplay but the spinners then came on to stifle the flow of runs. The asking rate continued to mount and Pooran was struggling to get his timing right. He did break free at last but he could not compensate for lost time to the extent he would have liked, eventually perishing to a screamer of a Haris Rauf catch.
King rasied his maiden half-century but it was a struggle for Rovman Powell, meaning that the equation was getting out of reach despite the presence of some hard hitters later in the order. Wickets fell at regular intervals with Pakistan's fielders - Asif Ali in particular - doing their bit with some sensational efforts in the deep. With King's wicket being one of them, the end was nigh once Shaheen Shah Afridi rattled the lower middle-order with a spurt of wickets in the 17th over.
Romario Shepherd was still around though and he showcased his hitting potential to great effect. Some nerves would have certainly been sent jangling in the Pakistani camp even as 23 runs were needed off the last over. In the end, Haris Rauf held his nerve and with another terrific bit of fielding from Asif Ali in the last over, Pakistan managed to get home, bowling out the visitors in the process.
West Indies have a lot of positives to take out of this contest - Akeal Hosein continued to make merry with the ball while Odean Smith turned in a much-improved performance. With the bat, it was Brandon King's turn to showcase his potential while Romario Shepherd gave a glimpse into the future of the two-time T20 World Champions. If only they had a bit more going for them in the middle overs though...
That will be all then! West Indies fought hard and took it deep but in the end, they left it too late and Haris Rauf fittingly seals it with a full and straight one at full throttle. He has had a big say with a couple of magnificent fielding efforts today. Pakistan win by 9 runs and win the series 2-0 with a game to spare!
20
overs
163/10score
2
6
0
4
1
W
runs
Romario Shepherd
35(19)
Oshane Thomas*
0(1)
Haris Rauf
2/40
19.6 Haris Rauf to Oshane Thomas, BOWLED WIN! PAKISTAN WIN BACK-TO-BACK GAMES AND SEAL THE SERIES! Full and straight angling into Thomas, goes right through his defenses and rattles into middle and leg stump. A spirited effort from the Windies but it's Pakistan that pulls through in the end. Pakistan win by 9 runs and seal the series 2-0. Oshane Thomas b Haris Rauf 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)
Well well! Haris was about to reach the popping crease but somebody on the field points out that there were just three men inside the inner ring! In the nick of time, Haris bails out and Pakistan are able to correct it as fine leg comes inside the inner ring.
ASIF ALI AGAIN! You cannot keep him out of it can you? Incredible stop and that will bruise tomorrow morning. He won't complain though - the expressions sum it up as Haris just need to bowls a legal delivery now.
19.5 Haris Rauf to Romario Shepherd, WHAT A STOP! Asif Ali, you just cannot keep him out of the fielder. Full delivery outside off-stump, Shepherd drills this one like a tracker bullet towards sweeper cover and Asif shuffles across to and manages to get some part of the body behind the ball to secure the win for his side.
Shadab, Babar and Haris have a round-table conference now. One good ball and Pakistan are home - a boundary or a six and it goes into the final delivery!
Jeez this is not over yet! Shepherd is not going down without a fight here. 11 off 2 now...
19.4 Haris Rauf to Romario Shepherd, FOUR! Slightly streaky but they'll take anything they can at this stage! Full delivery outside off-stump, Shepherd throws his hands at it and slices this over short third man as the ball trickles away into the ropes. 11 off 2. Super over, anyone?
Priceless dot ball for Pakistan.
19.3 Haris Rauf to Romario Shepherd, nails his yorker this time and Shepherd can only bunt this down to long-on, not taking the single. They need another big hit here!
15 required off 4 now! That was pounded by Shepherd!
19.2 Haris Rauf to Romario Shepherd, SIX! GAME ON? Good length delivery angling into Shepherd, clears his front foot and opens his stance to launch this over the mid-wicket boundary. This one was high into the night sky as well!
That was air-bound for an eternity! Even for Pakistan's best fielder in Shadab Khan, that was a toughie especially given the circumstances.
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Romario Shepherd
Haris Rauf
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