With a 53-run win (by DLS technique) at Multan on Sunday, Pakistan completed a 3-0 sweep of West Indies in the ODI series, on June 12. Pakistan produced 269/9 in a contest shortened to 48 overs, due to half-centuries from Shadab Khan and Imam-ul-Haq, and then restricted the opponents to 216 in spite of Akeal Hossain’s whirlwind 37-balls 60.
Imam-ul-Haq scored 50 or more for the eighth time in ODI cricket during his innings. After great Javed Miandad, he became the second Pakistan batsman to achieve this achievement. Babar Azam, the skipper, had an opportunity to do the same thing against the West Indies on Sunday but was bowled for only one run by leg-spinner Hayden Walsh.
Imam-ul-Haq had scored 56, 103, 106, 89, 65, and 72 runs in his previous six innings before his 62-run performance. With this achievement, the Pakistan opener joined an elite group of batters that includes Mark Waugh, Gordon Greenidge, Andrew Jones, Mohammad Yusuf, Chris Gayle, Shai Hope, Paul Stirling, Ross Taylor, and Kane Williamson, who have all scored 50 or more in six straight ODIs.
Miandad has the most straight 50-plus ODI scores of any batsman in history, with nine. Imam-ul-Haq needs two more half century to equal the renowned batsman’s record.
“We were able to carry out the plans and are providing 100% in all departments, and the results are visible.” Nawaz’s bowling in the second match was crucial, and it helped us win the series. As a result, it was the finest of the series for us. During the post-match presentation, Pakistan captain Babar Azam observed, “We have to examine the bench strength as well as use the elders.”
He further added, ”We are trying different combinations with bat and bowl. We will try to keep continuity and keep testing. We have different areas of improvement as each of the three games showed. We hope to learn from our mistakes and get better. (On his form) I try to play positive cricket and try to play the situation. The conditions were different in each of the games.”
West Indies 216 in 37.2 overs (Akeal Hossain 60; Shadab Khan 4/62) bt Pakistan 269/9 in 48 overs (Shadab Khan 86, Imam-ul-Haq 62; Nicholas Pooran 4/48)
