Lewis powers 91 as Windies trounce Pakistan

The victory by the West Indies yesterday now means the regional team can level the series 2-2 with another win in the fourth T20 today at the Queen’s Park Oval.

Yesterday’s win for the West Indies was only the regional team’s second win over Pakistan in their last 12 matches.

Last year in the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan won the Test series against the Windies 2-1, the ODI (One Day International) series 3-0 and the T20 series 3-0, before Pakistan won the first two matches of the current series.

Lewis, who many felt was unlucky not be drafted in the 2017 Indian Premier League (IPL) which starts on Wednesday, slammed 91 off 51 deliveries, hitting five fours and nine sixes. The left-handed opener comfortably got the West Indies to their target of 138 for three in 14.5 overs, after Pakistan were reduced to 137/8 batting first.

After losing his opening partner Chadwick Walton for one, Lewis and Marlon Samuels grabbed control of the match for the West Indies with an attacking partnership dominated by Lewis.

Lewis punished every Pakistan bowler, with left-armers __ pacer Sohail Tanvir and spinner Imad Wasim, feeling the brunt of Lewis early on. West Indies raced to 37/1 after five overs as Lewis cracked Wasim for a six over midwicket, followed by a straight six.

Pakistan teenage spinner Shadab Khan was introduced to slow the West Indies progress. However, the 18-year-old leg-break bowler did not have the best day, finishing with 1/38 in 3.5 overs.

Khan was unplayable in the first two matches, grabbing 3/7 in four overs in the first match, followed by 4/14 in four overs in the second contest. Shortly after bringing up the 50 with a four off Khan, Samuels misjudged the pace of a delivery and was caught at long on by Wasim off Wahab Riaz for 18 off 19 balls.

Jason Mohammed (17 not out), who has been in excellent form since the 2016 Caribbean Premier League, quickly asserted himself at the crease __ on his T20 International debut __ with a well-timed four through the covers off Shoaib Malik, followed by another four over the cover region.

Lewis, who was strong on the leg side, brought up his 50 with a slop sweep that went the distance off Khan. Lewis punished Khan for short bowling, cracking another six in the same over over square leg as the score read 99/2 after 12 overs.

If there was any doubt West Indies would win the match, Lewis put those doubts to bed in the 14th over as Tanvir conceded 24 runs. Lewis cracked three sixes and one four in the over.

Pakistan got little consolation in the next over when Lewis was caught in the deep going for another six off Khan.

Lewis received a standing ovation on his way back to the pavilion.

Lendl Simmons finished the match with a four as West Indies wrapped up a comfortable win.

Riaz took 1/6 in two overs, while Tanvir ended with 1/40 in three overs.

Earlier, Pakistan opener Kamran Akmal continued the form he showed in the recently concluded Pakistan Super League. Akmal topscored with 48 and, along with Babar Azam (43), shared in a 88- run third wicket partnership.

However, Pakistan limped to 137/8 after Akmal was the third batsman out with the score on 92.

Akmal faced 36 balls, comprising four fours and two sixes.

Samuel Badree (2/22) was the best bowler for the West Indies, while Kesrick Williams (1/21), Carlos Brathwaite (1/15), Sunil Narine (1/34) and Samuels (1/11) all snatched one wicket.

The bowlers were supported by brilliant fielding as two Pakistan batsmen were run out, while Kieron Pollard took an excellent catch fielding on the boundary.

The last match of the series will bowl off at 12.30 pm today at the Queen’s Park Oval.