West Indies Snatch Dramatic Last-Ball Victory in 2nd T20I to Level Series

In a pulsating encounter at Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill, Florida, on August 2, 2025, West Indies clinched a thrilling two-wicket victory over Pakistan in the 2nd T20I, leveling the series at 1-1. Jason Holder’s all-round heroics—4/19, two catches, and an unbeaten 16 off 10 balls, capped by a last-ball boundary—ended West Indies’ six-match T20I losing streak and kept the series alive for the decider. Pakistan, despite a valiant effort, faltered in the clutch moments, setting the stage for a blockbuster finale.

• Pakistan Innings: 133/9 (20 overs; Saim Ayub 32, Sahibzada Farhan 30, Jason Holder 4/19, Shamar Joseph 2/25)
• West Indies Innings: 135/8 (20 overs; Johnson Charles 30, Jewel Andrew 25, Mohammad Nawaz 3/26, Shaheen Afridi 2/34)
• Result: West Indies won by 2 wickets (with 0 balls remaining)
• Player of the Match: Jason Holder (WI, 4/19, 16* & 2 catches)
• Series Context: Series level at 1-1

Pakistan, having won the toss and elected to bat, started strongly on a pitch offering moderate pace and bounce. Openers Saim Ayub (32 off 25) and Sahibzada Farhan (30 off 28) built a 60-run stand in 7.3 overs, with Ayub’s elegant cover drives and Farhan’s deft cuts setting a solid platform. However, West Indies’ bowlers, led by Jason Holder, turned the tide. Holder’s 4/19, including the wickets of Ayub and Fakhar Zaman (28 off 22), triggered a dramatic collapse. From 103/1 after 11 overs, Pakistan slumped to 110/4 by the 15th, managing only 23 runs in the final five overs with no boundaries. Shamar Joseph (2/25) and Akeal Hosein (2/28) stifled the middle order, with Pakistan’s obsession with all-rounders over specialists drawing criticism on X for their batting woes. Mohammad Haris’ six off the only ball he faced at No. 8 was a lone highlight in a lackluster finish, as Pakistan posted a below-par 133/9.

Chasing 134, West Indies began cautiously, reaching 79/5 after 15 overs, with Johnson Charles (30 off 33) and Jewel Andrew (25 off 20) providing stability. Pakistan’s spinners, Mohammad Nawaz (3/26) and Sufiyan Muqeem (2/15), applied the choke, removing key batters like Sherfane Rutherford and Rovman Powell. By the 16th over, West Indies needed 55 runs off 30 balls, with only two boundaries in the previous 65 deliveries. The game seemed Pakistan’s to lose, but Holder and Romario Shepherd shifted momentum. Shepherd’s six over long-on off Haris Rauf in the 17th over ignited the chase, and Holder’s composure under pressure shone through. With 16 runs needed off the final over from Shaheen Afridi, Holder spanked a full toss past backward point for four and, on the last ball, shuffled across to whip a full delivery past fine leg for the winning boundary. The equation had come down to 7 off the final over, and Holder’s “roar of triumph” sparked wild celebrations, as West Indies finished at 135/8.

• Holder’s All-Round Masterclass: Holder’s 4/19 dismantled Pakistan’s batting, and his unbeaten 16, including two catches and the match-winning boundary, earned him Player of the Match. His post-match comment, “I told Romario we need four sixes… we knew we could find the boundary,” reflected his confidence.
• Pakistan’s Late Collapse: Scoring just 23 runs in the final five overs with five wickets lost, Pakistan’s batting imploded, a point of contention among fans on X, who criticized their strategy.
• Nawaz and Muqeem’s Spin Magic: Nawaz’s 3/26 and Muqeem’s 2/15 kept Pakistan in the game, with Muqeem’s dismissal of Holder in the 16th over (upheld on review) briefly tilting the scales.
• Shepherd’s Injury Scare: A short ball from Shaheen Afridi floored Shepherd, who twisted his right foot attempting a hook, but he battled on to support Holder.
• Last Over Drama: Shaheen’s final over saw a wide, a full toss, and a low delivery, with Holder capitalizing on each to secure victory.

Pakistan’s decision to prioritize all-rounders over specialist batters backfired, as their middle order failed to accelerate. The pitch, described by Ayub as “challenging but not difficult,” demanded better shot selection, which Pakistan lacked in the death overs. West Indies, meanwhile, managed dot balls and singles effectively during Pakistan’s innings, a tactic Pakistan failed to replicate in the chase. Holder’s ability to bowl across phases and his calm batting under pressure exposed Pakistan’s inability to close out tight games, a recurring theme dubbed “choking” by fans on X.

West Indies’ early bowling strategy focused on disciplined lines, with Holder and Joseph exploiting the pitch’s bounce. In the chase, their intent waned in the middle overs, but the experience of Holder and Shepherd proved decisive. Pakistan’s spinners were effective, but their pacers, including Shaheen, bled runs in the final overs, with 16 runs conceded in the 19th over proving costly.

Holder, elated, emphasized team belief: “We’re powerful players… I love playing for West Indies and want to leave it better than I found it.” Pakistan captain Salman Agha rued the missed opportunities, stating, “We were in control, but the last few overs slipped away.” Fans on X were divided, with some praising Holder’s heroics and others slamming Pakistan’s “baffling” tactics and inability to defend 7 runs in the final over. One post noted, “WI cricket needed that win!” reflecting the significance of breaking their losing streak.

After Pakistan’s 14-run victory in the 1st T20I, powered by Saim Ayub’s half-century and Nawaz’s spin, West Indies’ comeback kept the series alive. The loss highlighted Pakistan’s ongoing struggles in crunch moments, while West Indies, reeling from a 5-0 defeat to Australia earlier in 2025, found renewed confidence. With Fakhar Zaman ruled out due to a hamstring injury, Pakistan faced selection dilemmas for the 3rd T20I, while West Indies looked to capitalize on their momentum.

The Lauderhill pitch, slightly slower than the 1st T20I, offered early assistance to pacers but eased for batting later. Clear skies and a lively crowd of 12,000 created an electric atmosphere, though the late-night 8:00 PM local start tested players’ endurance. The outfield, quick and true, aided boundary-hitting, but West Indies’ disciplined bowling kept Pakistan’s scoring in check.

The 2nd T20I was a T20 classic, defined by Holder’s all-round brilliance and West Indies’ nerve in the final over. Pakistan’s collapse and inability to defend a modest total exposed tactical flaws, while West Indies’ resilience broke their losing streak, setting up a mouthwatering decider on August 3. As both teams regroup, Pakistan must address their death-over frailties, while West Indies will draw confidence from Holder’s leadership. The series, now poised at 1-1, promises more fireworks in Lauderhill.