Shadab's brilliance denies West Indies in low-scoring thriller
The legspinner followed his 3 for 7 on debut with 4 for 14, which handed Pakistan a 2-0 lead in the four-T20 series
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
It's becoming a bit of a jinx, this match-up. Whatever the situation, however favourable the circumstances, West Indies just cannot seem to get over the line against Pakistan. It was no different today as a thrilling final over from Hasan Ali that swung one way and then the other saw Pakistan cling on to a three-run win at the Queen's Park Oval. It was a game they had no business laying claim to for much of a contest that was worlds removed from the cakewalk the visitors enjoyed in Barbados.
West Indies were their own worst enemy at times, with sloppy fielding gifting Pakistan at least 15 runs. But what they might really rue is giving Pakistan the opportunity to bowl at a competitive total after reducing them to 95 for 8. Shadab and Wahab each played vital cameos in a 36-run stand off just 19 balls. It took Pakistan to 132, a total that had looked ambitious for much of the innings as their batsmen struggled to get any sort of momentum.
Shadab appears to outdo himself every time he steps onto the field, each game replacing the preceding one as the highlight of his career. Tonight, his effort was a legspin masterclass, with the teenager at times the only person standing between West Indies and victory. No batsman could pick his variations, with a pair falling to the legbreak, and two more dismissed after failing to read the googly.
The first four overs of the West Indies innings were ungainly, with batsmen and fielders unable to help themselves colliding into each other; no less than three times did players come together. The first, between Lewis and Shadab, resulted in the batsman being run-out, but the final one was altogether nastier. Samuels defended to point and scampered off for a quick single. Ahmed Shehzad ran in to effect a run out, and found himself in the path of Chadwick Walton. This resulted in a horrible collision, with Walton's knee thumping into Shehzad's upper back and neck, requiring an ambulance to come out on the field and stretcher Shehzad off. It looked worse, but the Pakistan opener was back on the field a few overs later.
Pakistan now cannot lose the four-match series, having taken a 2-0 lead. The third T20I will be played on April 1, at the same venue.
Danyal Rasool is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo. @Danny61000