ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – West Indies A snatched a thrilling super-over victory over Pakistan A late Friday night, as they launched their two-match Twenty20 series in dramatic style at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.
After scores were tied at 130 at the end of both innings, Windies A scored seven for one from their over and then restricted the tourists to six runs for two wickets, to clinch victory.
Pakistan A, sent in to bat, finished on 130 for four from their allotted overs with opener Khurram Manzoor top-scoring with 42 from 45 balls and partner Umair Khan getting 36 from 28 balls.
The hosts then recovered from the loss of Miles Bascombe without scoring with just three on the board, to also finish on 130 for seven with Danza Hyatt hammering 39 from 37 balls and opener Andre Fletcher hitting 34 from 27 balls.
Pakistan A got a solid start with Manzoor and Umair posting 77 from 64 balls for the first wicket, easily overcoming an early stoppage for rain.
The right-handed Manzoor, who has already scored three half-centuries in seven Tests, struck five fours while the lesser experienced Umair carved out six fours.
When Umair fell in the 11th over to left-arm spinner Nikita Miller, Pakistan failed to find the acceleration they hoped for an only captain Faisal Iqbal with 23 from 19 balls, found his rhythm.
Bascombe’s dismissal to the eighth ball of the innings set back the hosts at the start of their run chase and when Johnson Charles also fell without scoring, Windies A were struggling at 26 for two in the fourth over.
The right-handed Fletcher, who cracked six fours in his knock, fell at 46 in the seventh over Kirk Edwards joined Hyatt to add a precious 33 for the fourth wicket.
Edwards’ knock of 21 from 28 balls ended when he was bowled by left-armer Junaid Khan at 79 in the 14th over, but the hosts got two cameo stands to get up to their total.
Hyatt, who smashed two fours and three sixes, posted 28 from 18 balls for the fifth wicket with Jonathan Foo (21 not out) before the right-handed Foo added another 20 from 14 balls for the sixth wicket with captain Dave Bernard Jr.
With five runs needed off the last over, Bernard was run out for two off the second ball with another four runs needed, and Jason Holder was run out off the last ball of the innings with a run needed for victory.
The inexperienced off-spinner Ashley Nurse then held his nerve as West Indies A defended their meagre seven in the super over.
