1st T20I: Pakistan thrash West Indies by 143 runs

Pakistani cricketer Hussain Talat (C) celebrates the dismissal of West Indies batsman Samuel Badree (L) during the first T20 match between Pakistan and West Indies at National Stadium in Karachi on April 1, 2018. Pakistan thrashed a depleted West Indies side by 143 runs in the first Twenty20 at the National Stadium in Karachi, the first international match in the city for nine years. Pic/AFP

Pakistan thrashed a depleted West Indies side by 143 runs in the first Twenty20 on Sunday at the National Stadium in Karachi, the first international match in the city for nine years. Pakistan, the world's top-ranked T20 side, equalled their highest total in the format of 203-5 in 20 overs before bowling the West Indies out for their lowest-ever T20 total -- 60 runs -- in 13.4 overs.

The West Indies, missing their regular skipper Carlos Brathwaite and stars like Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard, could not handle Pakistan's varied bowling attack. Only Marlon Samuels (18), Rayad Emrit (11) and Keemo Paul (10) reached double figures. Pakistan's margin of victory is the second-biggest in T20s, behind Sri Lanka's 172-run win over Kenya in Johannesburg in 2007. Previously, the hosts' biggest victory in T20s was a 102-run win against Bangladesh in Karachi in 2008, after scoring 203-5. Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Nawaz and Shoaib Malik got two wickets each.

Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed praised his team's performance in the series-opener. "I think we were excellent today," said Ahmed. "We have an important match tomorrow and with another win we can seal the series win." The West Indies' new T20 skipper Jason Mohammad blamed the defeat on poor batting.

"It was a tough day. We did well with the ball till the last two overs. It was a good wicket, but our shot execution wasn't good," said Mohammad, who fell for nought. The West Indies' previous lowest T20 total was 79-7 against Zimbabwe at Port of Spain in 2010.

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