Holder Steals the Spotlight as West Indies End T20I Drought
No one saw this coming. After six consecutive defeats, West Indies finally broke through with a heart-stopping two-wicket win over Pakistan in the second T20I in Florida. All eyes were on Jason Holder, who not only crushed Pakistan’s batting hopes with 4/26 but also slammed the winning runs off the very last ball, finishing unbeaten on 15 from just six balls.
The Central Broward Regional Park Stadium was buzzing as Pakistan, led by Salman Ali Agha, won the toss and opted to bat. Their top order crumbled almost instantly, thanks to Holder’s early strikes. Opener Saim Ayub was gone for 7, and Sahibzada Farhan quickly followed for the same score. Pakistan’s hopes rested on Fakhar Zaman, but once Roston Chase got him for 20, the visitors never truly recovered. From 39/3, the collapse was on, as Holder kept chipping away at the lineup. Pakistan crawled to 133/9 in their 20 overs—a far cry from what their captain might have hoped for at the toss.
Chasing an awkward total is never easy, especially when you’re carrying the baggage of six straight T20I losses. West Indies didn’t breeze to victory. They lost wickets at regular intervals, with debutants Alick Athanaze and Shamar Joseph feeling the pressure alongside seasoned players like Shai Hope and Roston Chase. Pakistan’s bowlers, including Shaheen Afridi and the ever-attacking Mohammad Amir, kept the game interesting with tight spells and wicket-taking bursts.
Race to the Finish: Last-Ball Drama
It all came down to the last ball. West Indies needed a boundary to seal it, and Holder made sure it happened. His composed finish didn’t just seal the match, it also etched his name in West Indies record books. With his four wickets, Holder surpassed Dwayne Bravo to become West Indies’ leading wicket-taker in T20Is, now holding 79 scalps. That’s not just a personal milestone—it’s a testament to Holder’s ability to deliver when it matters most.
Pakistan will be ruing missed opportunities. Despite their bowlers dragging the match to the wire, their batters never found momentum after Holder’s initial blows. With the series tied 1-1, both teams now eye the decider on August 5. For West Indies, the energy in the camp is sky-high after this confidence-boosting win. Pakistan, meanwhile, must quickly regroup if they want to leave Florida with a trophy.
