Pakistan staged a confident chase to beat the West Indies by five wickets at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba on Friday.

Pakistan claimed a 1–0 lead in the three-match ODI series. West Indies had put up a competitive total of 281 all out in 49 overs. Pakistan finished the job in 48.5 overs with composure and flair.

After Saim Ayub’s early stumble with departing for just five, much-needed stability was brought back to Pakistan’s innings by Abdullah Shafique (29) and Babar Azam (47). Captain Mohammad Rizwan was joined by Babar Azam in a steady 55-run partnership. This dynamic and powerful partnership set a solid platform for the final push.

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The rest of the chase revolved around the remarkable debut performance of Hassan Nawaz. Unfazed in his first ODI appearance, he finished an unbeaten 63*, combining beautifully with Hussain Talat (41*) in a match-winning century stand that took Pakistan across the line with poise.

Earlier, the West Indies innings was powered by solid half-centuries from Evin Lewis (60), Shai Hope (55), and Roston Chase (53), while Gudakesh Motie’s late flourish added a quick 31 off 18 balls to push the total past 280.

On the bowling front, Shaheen Afridi impressed with figures of 4 for 51, complemented by Naseem Shah’s 3 for 55. Saim Ayub, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Salman Ali Agha chipped in with a wicket apiece.