Hafeez ecstatic after match-winning bowling performance

Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez was happy to contribute to Pakistan’s victory in the second T20I against West Indies on Saturday in Guyana.

West Indies were undone in their 158-run chase by the number of scoreless deliveries, 47, in their innings, although nothing could take away from the outstanding bowling effort of Hafeez.

Bowling the first over of the innings, the veteran off-spinning all-rounder bowled Andre Fletcher with his second ball and conceded just six runs across his four overs.

“The captain backed me. I am very happy that I got the chance of bowling against left handers and I am very happy to perform well against West Indies since you know that they have big hitters in their side, so the challenge is always to keep a tight line every time. But still I got my areas right and I am really happy to contribute,” Hafeez said in post-match presentation.

"Knowing these conditions and having played cricket here before in the Caribbean Premier League certainly helped as I knew it would be difficult for the batsmen," he added.

Although Hafeez could only score six runs with the bat, the all-rounder was adjudged player of the match for his match-winning spell, which proved to be the difference between the two sides.

“I am very happy, I am thankful to Allah that as a bowler, this is my first man of the match award and I will always remember it for the rest of my life,” he said.

“The morale is high but we’ll have to strengthen our execution in batting which we are completely capable of. We are capable of scoring 180 here and I am hopeful that we will be better prepared for tomorrow’s game and win the series as well,” he added.

Pakistan leads the four-match T20I series by 1-0, with the third T20I scheduled to take place on Sunday in Guyana.