In a high-pressure contest that went down to the final delivery, Jason Holder emerged as West Indies’ savior, leading his side to a nail-biting two-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second T20I in Lauderhill. Chasing 134, the hosts crossed the finish line off the very last ball, leveling the series 1–1 and snapping a six-match T20I losing streak.
Pakistan had earlier posted a below-par total of 133 for 9 after being put into bat. Their innings was anchored by a gritty 40 from opener Hasan Nawaz and a composed 38 from Salman Ali Agha, but the West Indies bowlers maintained relentless pressure throughout. Jason Holder was the pick of the attack, delivering a game-changing spell of 4 for 19. His disciplined line and length choked Pakistan’s momentum during the middle overs, and he also overtook Dwayne Bravo as West Indies’ leading wicket-taker in T20Is with 81 scalps.
Despite the modest target, West Indies’ chase was anything but smooth. The top order stumbled early, and Pakistan’s bowlers kept striking at regular intervals. At 96 for 6, the home side was in real trouble. Gudakesh Motie held firm with a crucial 28 off 20 balls, showing composure in a tense situation, while Romario Shepherd chipped in with 15 to keep the chase alive.
Heading into the final over, West Indies required eight runs to win with three wickets in hand. Pakistan turned to Shaheen Shah Afridi to close the match. He struck immediately, removing Shepherd with a sharp delivery. Tension escalated when a wide was followed by a few singles and dots. With three needed off the final ball, Jason Holder calmly stood his ground and drove the last delivery past cover for a boundary to clinch victory for the West Indies.
Holder, who remained unbeaten on 16 from just 10 balls, was rightfully named Player of the Match for his all-round brilliance. His contributions with both bat and ball underlined his value as a match-winner in clutch situations. Speaking after the match, Holder credited the team’s belief and clarity under pressure, saying, “We knew we had the power to find boundaries. It was just about staying calm and backing our strengths.”
Captain Shai Hope praised Holder’s composure and leadership, highlighting the importance of the win in building momentum and team morale. “Jason stepped up when we needed him most. This win gives us the confidence we’ve been lacking. We stuck together under pressure, and that’s what matters,” Hope said.
For Pakistan, it was a disappointing outcome. They controlled large parts of the match but faltered in the death overs with both bat and ball. Fielding errors and poor execution in the final moments proved costly once again, adding to their inconsistency in closing out tight games.
As the series heads to the decider, West Indies will take plenty of encouragement from this win. Holder’s performance not only secured a dramatic result but also reminded the cricketing world of his value as one of the game’s most dependable all-rounders. In a match defined by pressure and poise, it was Jason Holder’s experience and temperament that made all the difference.