Karachi welcomed back international cricket after more than nine years as Pakistan took on West Indies in the first of the three-match T20I series on Sunday.

The hosts won by a staggering 143 runs after being put in to bat first. Helped by Hussain Talat‘s 41-run knock, Pakistan posted 203-5 in their 20 overs before their bowling attack bundled out the West Indies for just 60 runs.

Here, we analyse the performance of the debutant Talat in Pakistan’s 143-run victory.

STATISTICS

RUNS SCORED: 41

BALLS FACED: 37

BOUNDARIES: 2

SIXES: 1

STRIKE-RATE: 110.8

30-SECOND-REPORT

Hussain was sent in at the crucial number three position in the batting-order and his innings got off to the worst possible start after a huge mix-up with Fakhar Zaman which resulted in a run-out. However, the youngster did not let that affect his confidence as he put in an accomplished batting performance. He looked like he belonged at the international stage.

GOT RIGHT

After a nervous start, the right-handed batsman buckled down and did not let his concentration slip. He played some excellent cricketing shots including a mighty heave over long-on for six off Marlon Samuels. There is definitely some talent here, especially after seeing him grow more assured with each passing ball.

GOT WRONG

Was caught ball-watching early on which resulted in Zaman’s run-out. Could have been a little more adventurous in trying to up his strike-rate but it would have been even worse for him to throw his wicket away after running out a senior partner on debut. Ran himself out eventually in the end, showing that he has a lot to learn when it comes to running between the wickets.

KEY MOMENTS

ZAMAN RUN-OUT

With Zaman going great guns at the top for Pakistan after racing away to 39 off just 24 balls, disaster struck in the first over after power-play. Hussain dabbed the delivery towards point, resulting in Zaman taking off for a quick single. The debutant however, failed to notice his partner calling for the run after being caught ball-watching. Zaman tried to turn back mid-way from the pitch but it was too late.

TAKES ON PERMAUL

Hussain gave fellow debutant Veerasammy Permaul of the West Indies a harsh welcomes to international cricket. He took on the young left-arm spinner, smacking it straight past him for a boundary. That would be the end of Permaul’s debut as he was stretchered off with a twisted ankle.

The Pakistan batsman then went one further when Samuels took the ball to complete Permaul’s over, lifting him for a huge six over long-on.

RUNS HIMSELF OUT

In the 16th over of the Pakistan innings, skipper Sarfraz Ahmed smacked the ball towards mid-wicket and took off a single. In a rush to up the ante, Hussain came darting back for a second run when there was none and was sent back by his skipper. However, like Zaman, it was already too late.

VERDICT: 7/10

The debutant gave glimpses of his potential in his 37-ball stay at the crease and bar the two run-outs, he looked largely at ease in international cricket. While his scoring-rate might not have been great, the left-hander’s 75-run third-wicket stand with Sarfraz set it up beautifully for Shoaib Mailk and Faheem Ashraf to give the finishing flourish to the innings.