Pakistan Seal 2-0 Lead with 6-Wicket Thrashing of West Indies in 2nd T20I
Pakistan continued their ruthless dominance in the T20I series against West Indies with a commanding six-wicket victory in the 2nd T20I at the National Stadium, Karachi, on March 3, 2026, taking a 2-0 lead in the three-match rubber. Batting first after Shai Hope won the toss, West Indies posted 168 for 8, built on Roston Chase’s steady 68 off 48 and Sherfane Rutherford’s late 42 off 28, but Shaheen Afridi’s 3 for 28 and Haris Rauf’s 2 for 32 choked the middle overs. Pakistan chased 169 with ease in 18.2 overs for 172 for 4, powered by Saim Ayub’s explosive 78 off 42 (9 fours, 4 sixes) and Babar Azam’s unbeaten 65 off 52 (7 fours, 2 sixes). Their 112-run second-wicket stand turned a tricky chase into a procession. The win — Pakistan’s second straight T20I victory over West Indies in Karachi — marks their 11th straight home T20I triumph and puts them on the brink of a series whitewash.
The National Stadium’s electric atmosphere, under a packed 32,000 crowd and floodlit drama, produced a high-octane contest with 340 runs scored in 36.2 overs. Hope’s decision to bat first was tactical, exploiting early swing before the surface eased under dew. For Babar Azam, the victory was a statement — his side’s batting depth and death bowling proving too much. As Babar flicked the winning single off Alzarri Joseph amid green fireworks and chants of “Babar! Babar!”, the series narrative ignited: Pakistan’s home fortress stands tall, West Indies plotting a fightback in Multan.
Pakistan XI (Babar Azam captain) Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Zeeshan Zameer
West Indies XI (Shai Hope captain) Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope (c & wk), Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales
West Indies – 168-8 (20 overs) Lewis fell for 8 in the first over — caught at mid-off off Shaheen. Hetmyer (18) and Hope (28) added 48 before Rauf bowled Hetmyer. Chase reached 68 off 48 (7×4, 2×6) before skying Bishnoi. Rutherford (42 off 28, 4×4, 2×6) and Holder (18 off 12) pushed the total, but Shaheen’s death yorkers (3-28) and Rauf’s pace (2-32) capped the damage.
Pakistan – 172-4 (18.2 overs) Ayub (28 off 12) and Fakhar (38 off 22) added 68 in 5.4 overs. Ayub fell to Joseph, caught at deep square. Fakhar and Babar forged 112 in 78 balls — Fakhar 78 off 42 (9×4, 4×6) — caught at long-on off Motie. Babar 65* off 52 (7×4, 2×6) finished with a flicked four off Joseph.
Key Moments
- Fakhar-Babar 112-run stand — highest 2nd-wicket vs WI in T20Is
- Chase’s 68 — highest score by a West Indian opener vs PAK
- Shaheen’s 3-28 — best figures by a Pakistani bowler in Karachi vs WI
- 48-run win margin — Pakistan’s largest by runs in Karachi vs WI
- 26 sixes in the match — joint-most in a PAK-WI T20I
Player of the Match: Saim Ayub (78 & 1 catch)
Babar Azam: “Fakhar and I stayed calm. Bowlers set it up perfectly. Multan next — we’re ready.”
Shai Hope: “We were close but Shaheen’s spell hurt. Need to show more fight in Multan.”
Series: Pakistan 2–0 West Indies Next → 3rd T20I: Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan — March 5 (D/N)
Pakistan one win from a whitewash; West Indies desperate for a fightback under Multan lights.
