Lauderhill: In a heart-racing finish in Florida, the West Indies pulled off a stunning two-wicket victory against Pakistan in the second T20I, thanks to a breathtaking all-round performance by Jason Holder. The match, which swung back and forth like a pendulum, came down to the very last delivery one that Holder struck decisively for a boundary, sending Windies fans into euphoria.
Batting first, Pakistan struggled to post a challenging total, ending their innings at 133 for nine in the allotted 20 overs. It was a modest score, but the Pakistan bowlers, led by Shaheen Afridi, made life difficult for the Windies’ batting line-up. Tight spells and timely wickets kept the chase nervy and uncertain until the very end.
What followed was a high-voltage second innings that had all the ingredients of a classic T20 finish. West Indies wobbled in the chase, losing wickets at crucial junctures. But amid the collapsing lineup stood Jason Holder, calm and composed, orchestrating a slow-burning rescue mission that would eventually ignite into last-ball fireworks.
The drama peaked in the final over, with Windies needing 8 runs from 6 balls. Facing Shaheen Afridi, one of the most lethal bowlers in the format, Holder and tail-ender Shamar Joseph had a mountain to climb. Holder took a single off the first ball. Afridi struck back immediately, dismissing Romario Shepherd on the second. The equation read 7 off 4.
Shamar Joseph took strike for the third ball and managed a single, handing the pressure-laden moment back to Holder. The fourth ball brought just another single. With two deliveries left, Windies still needed 5 runs. Shamar picked up another single on the penultimate ball. The tension was unbearable.
Then came a moment of drama Shaheen's final ball was a wide. The target was reduced to 3 off 1. With everything on the line, Holder connected the bat perfectly and drove the final delivery past the infield for four runs, sealing an extraordinary victory for the Caribbean side.
Holder’s performance was nothing short of heroic. Not only did he anchor the chase at the death, but he also made his mark with the ball earlier, picking up four crucial wickets to strangle Pakistan’s innings. His match-winning all-round show was a reminder of his immense value to the West Indies setup.
Pakistan, though deflated by the defeat, will rue their inability to capitalize on key moments. Their middle-order collapse and lack of acceleration in the death overs meant they fell short of a defendable total despite a competitive bowling effort.
As the Windies celebrate this nail-biting triumph, the momentum swings in their favor. With the series now leveled, all eyes will turn to the decider. One thing is certain Jason Holder has reignited Caribbean hopes with a match for the ages.