PAK v WI, 2nd ODI Review: Babar Azam powers Pakistan to victory

The second PAK v WI at Abu Dhabi saw Babar Azam play a central role for Pakistan as they now move up 2-0 in the ongoing ODI series. While Babar Azam went about collecting the accolades for his well-deserved efforts, he was joined by Shoaib Malik who waded into the West Indies bowlers, completely decimating anything in his path.

However, in reply, Darren Bravo, and Marlon Samuels were the only ones who put up a fight as the visitors now require a win in their following encounter to stay in the series.

Pakistan skipper Azhar Ali won the toss and did not hesitate to bat first. The gamble initially failed to pay off as the Pakistan skipper fell after managing just the nine runs. However, in spite of this, Pakistan was dealt a body blow a few deliveries later when Sharjeel Khan was dismissed when newcomer Alzarri Joseph removed the dasher within the opening powerplay.

While the Windies were most certainly happy about the fall of these wickets, little did they know what was to follow. Babar Azam, Pakistan’s renaissance man of sorts made his regular and cautious approach to the innings while Shoaib Malik dashed and bamboozled the likes of the West Indies pacers at will.

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It was like bowling to a batting machine. Of course, that would be a terrible phenomenon, but, it seemed as though the West Indies bowling unit was bowling against a brick wall. En route to their massive partnership of 169 runs, the West Indies learnt something about this dynamic duo.

While Babar Azam was the passive player who amassed his runs quite slowly, Shoaib Malik smashed and crashed his way past the bowlers at will, something he was most certainly good at. It was quintessentially a marriage made in heaven. Together, this dynamic duo put a massive price on their wickets, something that the islanders most certainly loathed.

An acrimonious incident led to the dismissal of Shoaib Malik, who was clearly bemused and a tad bit disappointed on not being able to complete his century. It then took some heavy hitting from wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed to ensure that the Pakistan bowlers had enough runs to play with. After a brisk and quickfire 60 from 47 deliveries, Pakistan had amassed 337 runs on the board.

Similar to the Pakistan innings, the West Indies innings also began on a poor note when an eager Johnson Charles was dismissed by the returning Mohammad Amir. Although the fall of Kraig Brathwaite was somewhat of a blessing in disguise, the Windies looked as though they were heading for yet another defeat.

Marlon Samuels (61) and Darren Bravo (57) were the only ones to wage somewhat of a lone battle against the Pakistani bowlers and fielders who were seeming to have an impressive outing on the day. Wahab Riaz seemed to be in his element as he breached the defences of Marlon Samuels and Denesh Ramdin before running out Carlos Brathwaite to bring down the curtains on the encounter. The Windies completed their end of proceedings 59 runs adrift of Pakistan’s mammoth total.

Brief Scores:

Pakistan: 337/5 in 50 overs (B Azam 123; J Holder 2/51)

West Indies: 278/7 in 50 overs (M Samuels 61; W Riaz 2/48)

Man of the Match: Babar Azam