All over!
Pakistan start as favourites. © Getty
Windies have posted their lowest-ever T20I total - 60 for 9 - in reply to Windies' joint-best - 203/5 - to lose by 144 runs - Pakistan's best ever in terms of runs. With Veerasamy Permaul injured, the innings ended there, giving Pakistan the most convincing series lead. What a way to take international cricket back to Karachi.
Windies eight down
This is starting to get really unwatchable. Windies have just lost their eighth wicket for 51 runs, with Shoaib Malik bagging two in the same over. First Rayad Emrit went for a slog sweep and got caught right at the edge of the boundary line by Talat. Keserick Williams then went for a wild swing outside the off-stump and handed Babar Azam at first slip to fall for a first-ball duck.
No hat-trick for Malik - A consolation for the Windies, probably their only one since they began to bat.
And the rut continues..
Windies are six down! Nawaz tosses one up to Marlon Samuels right after conceding a boundary, and it works as a fine bait. Samuels wasn't in control while going through with his slog, and the leading edge was pouched by Faheem Ashraf at point. Windies are now down to 33 for 6! They now need 46 runs to cross their lowest T20I total - looks bleak.
Shadab strikes
Rovman Powell follows the trend of handing out gift-wrapped catches. He has pushed one straight back to the bowler Shadab Khan. Windies have now lost five wickets for just 27 runs.
Shambolic stuff from Windies
Another senior goes! Denesh Ramdin has been served a ball that had 'smash me' written all over it, but he declined the offer and instead flicked it to short midwicket. Hasan Ali has a wicket, and as expected, out comes the 'boom' celebration.
Catching practice...twice!
That was straight out of a training session. Mohammad Amir bowled length and wide outside the offstump, and Andre Fletcher hit it straight to Hussain Talat at cover point.
Captain Jason Mohammad walks out and two balls in, he makes the exact same mistake. Debutant Talat will not complain. Two catches for him, Pakistan 8 for 3.
Windies rocked early
Chadwick Walton started Windies' innings with a six, but Mohammad Nawaz has hit back. Fourth ball of the over, Walton lofted one straight, but Asif Ali ran forward from long off and completed a catch. Windies 6 for 1.
Fantastic finish!
A 21-run final over has helped Pakistan equal their highest T20I total! They'd scored 203 against Bangladesh 10 years ago, and with a final-ball four, they've pulled it off again. Windies have a sorry looking bowling chart, with only debutant Keemo Paul with a respectable economy rate. Big climb ahead for the visitors.
Game-changing over?
Just when Windies were pulling things back a notch, Shoaib Malik has turned that plan on its head. Rayad Emrit has bowled an atrocious penultimate over, which Malik took full advantage of - 20 runs in the four balls he faced and 23 in the over.
Pakistan wobble
Talat's exit meant Sarfraz had to go for big hits, and one such attempt has consumed him. He has holed out to Andre Fletcher at deep midwicket. Exits for a 22-ball 38. The much-talked about Asif Ali - clad in Pakistan colours - didn't enjoy the sort of evening he did in Islamabad United flannels. He has played one on off Keemo Paul, departing for a two-ball one.
Talat goes!
Was that deliberate from Keserick Williams? Don't think so. Sarfraz flicks one towards midwicket, completes a run and looks for the second, but Williams is suddenly in his way, but was ball-watching. Sarfraz has to stop, but Talat has covered more than half the 22-yards and cannot make it back on time. End of an impressive debut. Gone for a 37-ball 41.
Nasty!
A stretcher is on the field! Veerasamy Permaul has twisted his left ankle while bowling and hasn't been able to get back on his feet. The physio was out trying to treat him, but there was no way he could continue. An ice pack strapped to his feet, he was stretchered off. Not the sort of T20I debut he'd have hoped for! Pakistan 87 for 3 in 9.3 overs.
Zaman exits after breezy start
Oh Hussain Talat, what have you done! He hit the ball towards backward point, took a hesitant step out for a run but backed out and went back. By then, though, Zaman was more than halfway through. The throw to the non-striker's end wasn't the best, but it was enough to catch the opener short of his crease.
Babar falls
That looked like going down leg but the umpire has given it out. Babar Azam had played a couple of delightful strokes but here is trapped lbw by Emrit. Replays confirm that it would have been umpire's call. Pakistan lose their first wicket after that strong start. Talat, the debutant, is the new man in.
Fakhar tees off
He is providing this full house crowd some early entertainment. It's raining boundaries in Karachi as Pakistan race to 29 for no loss in three overs. Zaman has scored 26 off them.
Toss- Windies opt to bowl
Smart decision. The visitors will bowl first and they have handed out debuts to Keemo Paul and Veerasammy Permaul. Asif Ali and Hussain Talat are making their debuts for Pakistan. Waqar Younis and Rameez Raja handed the caps over to them. Huge game for the duo.
Second string Windies
The biggest challenge for Windies will be to put up a fight with a weakened lineup. Pakistan will start as clear favourites. Some of the top names have pulled out of the series and as a result, Jason Mohammed has been tasked with the duty to lead Pakistan. Denesh Ramdin also has been recalled. So this is a vital series for him as well apart from the fringe players who are looking to make an impact.
Build up
Well, here we are! As we wait for this engrossing Test series in South Africa to end and for the IPL to begin, there is something significant happening in Pakistan. International cricket returns to the country once again with the Windies agreeing to play a three-match T20I series. Or should I say international cricket returns to Karachi? Ever since the unfortunate incident in 2009, only Lahore has played host to international games until now so this is a welcome development. With the PSL final being staged just a few days ago, the Karachi faithful are set to witness more action.
Pakistan are the top-ranked team in T20I cricket and this series is being billed as the battle between the world number one and the world champions. This series will also provide Pakistan an opportunity to test some of their impressive performers in the Pakistan Super League. They certainly start as favourites. Welcome to the live blog for the first T20I. Hopefully, we have a cracker!