Image courtesy of: CNN IBN

Babar took three wickets and hit the winning runs on his debut

Debutant Zulfiqar Babar will never forget this day for the rest of his life as not only did he take three wickets against the West Indies, but also smashed a huge six off the last ball of Pakistan’s innings to take his side across the finish line and give them a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

West Indies captain Darren Sammy won the toss and elected to bowl first since the pitch would have more in it for the spinners later on into the day.

However, he would have been kicking himself about choosing to bat first after his side lost their top four batsmen for just 42 runs.

All-rounder Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard steadied the West Indian innings with a 56-run partnership before Bravo was caught in the deep off the bowling of Babar for 25.

Sammy joined Pollard at the crease and the pair quickly dispatched the Pakistan bowling attack all over the ground as they recorded a 53-run partnership in four overs.

Sammy was eventually caught out for 30 off 14 balls, which included two boundaries and three sixes.

The West Indies ultimately ended on 152 after their 20 overs with Pollard finishing unbeaten on 49 off 36 deliveries, which included four boundaries and two maximums.

Babar was the star of the Pakistan bowling attack with three wickets, while Mohammad Hafeez took two wickets and Mohammad Irfan chipped in with one.

Chasing 153 to win, Pakistan were dealt two early blows as openers Nasir Jamshed and Ahmed Shehzad were both dismissed cheaply.

Hafeez failed to do much with the bat either as he was dismissed for 13 by West Indian spinner Sunil Narine.

Umar Amin helped stabilise the Pakistan innings with a brilliant 47 off 34 balls, which included nine boundaries before he was dismissed.

Umar Akmal and Hammad Azam were dismissed in quick succession as well to leave Pakistan reeling at 116/6.

However, Shahid Afridi turned the tables once again as he hammered a spectacular 46 off 27 deliveries, which included four boundaries and two sixes.

But, Pakistan continued to lose wickets at regular intervals and it looked as if the West Indies were going to win the match.

However, with Pakistan needing one run to win off the last ball, it looked to be anyone’s game, but Babar ensured that Pakistan picked up the win as he launched a massive six off the last ball of the match.

Shannon Gabriel was the pick of the West Indian bowlers with three wickets, while Narine, Samuel Badree and Marlon Samuels all snapped up one wicket apiece.

Sammy was upset with the loss and admitted that his side had given away too many runs during the Powerplay.

“We gave away too many runs in the Powerplay,” he said. “We still have to learn how to do it. I believed in Gabriel’s extra pace, and thought he could get Afridi out. He did get him out, but a bit too late. We batted like champions, but this time our bowlers didn’t back up our batsmen.”

Pakistan skipper Mohammad Hafeez was extremely impressed with Babar’s debut and lavished praise on the 34-year-old.

“It’s a great effort by the players,” he said. “Really happy to see their desire to win. Really happy with the contribution of the two debutants, and then Mr Afridi. It was a tough chase, but the positive intent was there. Really happy to say there.”

In a rather surprising move, Afridi was named the Man of the Match instead of Babar.

“I am very happy,” Afridi said. “I think the way Mohammad Hafeez is leading the team, it is very good. I should give my award to Zulfiqar Babar: he bowled well, fielded well, batted well. And Umar Amin too.”