Spinner Imad Wasim took career-best figures of 5/14 to set up Pakistan to a comfortable nine wicket in the first of three Twenty20 Internationals against West Indies at Dubai on Friday.


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After restricting world champions Windies to 115, with Dwayne Bravo top scoring with 55 runs, Pakistan chased down the target with ease with 34 balls remaining.


Jerome Taylor was the only other West Indies batsman to reached double figures. He scored 21 off 21 balls.


Babar Azam anchored the chase with an unbeaten 37-ball 55, while Khalid Latif remained unbeaten on 34 off 32. Opener Sharjeel Khan was the lone wicket to fall in the Pakistan innings. He scored 22 runs off 18 balls.


It's indeed a riddle! Pakistan, despite the talent and history, find themselves behind the pack when it comes to limited overs' cricket. Yes, they are the number one ranked Test side, but a strangely contrasting fortune has treated to the chagrin of their loyal fans.


However, that all can change, step by step, with a good showing against the West Indies – the team to beat in limited overs – when the two teams meet in a full-fledged series in Dubai.


The series starts with the first of the three Twenty20 International matches today at Dubai.


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Pakistan, ranked 7th in T20I, are seeking a revival and luckily or unluckily run into a supremely confident Windies.


LIKELY XIs:


Pakistan: Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif, Babar Azam, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed (capt & wk), Imad Wasim, Wahab Riaz, Hasan Ali, Sohail Tanvir, Mohammad Amir


West Indies: Johnson Charles, Evin Lewis, Marlon Samuels, Andre Fletcher (wk), Rovman Powell, Kieron Pollard, Carlos Brathwaite (capt), Dwayne Bravo, Sunil Narine, Samuel Badree, Jason Holder


New Delhi: Follow and watch the first Twenty20 International between Pakistan and West Indies being played at Dubai.