Shaheen Afridi’s Historic Achievement

Shaheen Afridi, the talented Pakistani pacer, etched his name in the record books during the first One Day International (ODI) against the West Indies in Trinidad. Opting to bowl first, Pakistan managed to restrict the West Indies to 280 runs, thanks to Afridi’s exceptional bowling performance. He claimed four crucial wickets, bringing his total to 131 wickets in just 65 ODI matches. This remarkable feat makes him the highest wicket-taker at this stage, surpassing Rashid Khan’s previous record of 128 wickets.

Pakistan’s Successful Chase

In response, Pakistan successfully chased down the target of 281 runs in 48.5 overs with five wickets remaining. Hasan Nawaz played a pivotal role in the victory with an unbeaten 63 runs, including a decisive six and boundary in the penultimate over. Captain Mohammad Rizwan also contributed significantly with a solid 53-run innings. The team’s performance was bolstered by their recent T20 series win against the West Indies.

West Indies’ Performance and Challenges

Despite half-centuries from Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, and Roston Chase, the West Indies fell short of setting a more challenging target. Captain Hope acknowledged the difficulties posed by the conditions and emphasized the need for more runs during the middle overs. The West Indies bowlers fought valiantly but could not prevent Pakistan from securing a win.

Looking Ahead in the Series

The ODI series continues with two more matches scheduled at Brian Lara Stadium. The second match is set for Sunday, followed by the final game on Tuesday. Both teams will be eager to make adjustments and capitalize on their strengths as they aim for victory in this competitive series.