Pakistani cricketers praise Imad’s historic five-for against Windies

Left-armer became first Pakistani spinner to bag a five-for in the shortest format

Pakistani cricket fraternity on Friday felicitated left-arm spinner Imad Wasim for his historic spell, where he bagged five wickets for just 14 runs in his four overs, against West Indies in the first of three-match T20I series in Dubai.

Pakistan T20I captain used Imad as his opening bowler and the 27-year-old worked wonders with the ball.

In the first over, Imad sent Evin Lewis packing who tried to clear midwicket off the left-armer.

OUT! Evin Lewis launches it towards midwicket. Nawaz bags it. Imad strikes. WI 3-1 https://t.co/uv7pGVCpJ7 #PAKvWI pic.twitter.com/wDuVo84uPx

— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 23, 2016

In his very next over, Imad fired a straighter one towards Andre Fletcher who was unable to decipher the pace on the ball and missed it.

TWO for Imad! Fletcher (2) undone by a straighter one. WI 11-2 (2.2) https://t.co/uv7pGVCpJ7 #PAKvsWI pic.twitter.com/C16A9LOBYm

— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 23, 2016

Two balls later in the third over, Marlon Samuels was given LBW off Imad’s appeal.

MAKE IT THREE! Imad on song against Windies. Marlon Samuels (4) gone. WI 15-3 https://t.co/uv7pGVCpJ7 #PAKvsWI pic.twitter.com/khnsaAzNDL

— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 23, 2016

Mohammad Nawaz and Hasan Ali dismissed the next two batsmen but Imad came back for his remaining two overs and in the eleventh over, cleaned up the dangerous Keiron Pollard.

HANDS OF GOLD! Imad on target again. Pollard clean bowled. WI 47-6 https://t.co/uv7pGVCpJ7 #PAKvsWI pic.twitter.com/I54ZDylJ8X

— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 23, 2016

Windies captain Carlos Brathwaite was Imad’s fifth scalp. The tall right-hand batsman tried to sweep the left-armer towards fine leg but was caught in the process.

FIFER for @simadwasim! First Pakistani spinner to bag a five-for in T20Is. WI in shambles with 47-7 https://t.co/uv7pGVCpJ7 #PAKvsWI pic.twitter.com/5r40UCzR1i

— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) September 23, 2016

With five wickets to his name, Imad became the first Pakistani spinner ever to bag a five-for in the shortest format of the game.

Here is what his fellow cricketers had to say on Pakistan’s victory and Imad's feat

Congratulations team Pak... well played by @KhalidLatifpak & @babarazam258
A wonderful win @TheRealPCB @SarfarazA_54 #PakistanZindabad

— Junaid khan (@JunaidkhanREAL) September 23, 2016

https://twitter.com/iamAnwarAli_/status/779413995182841856

Congrats team Pak & @SarfarazA_54 for a great win good allround performance.megical spell @simadwasim &welldone @babarazam258 @TheRealPCB

— Kamran Akmal (@KamiAkmal23) September 23, 2016

Excellent win by TeamPakistan. Impressive bowling by @simadwasim & batting by @babarazam258. Keep it up. Good luck for the next game.

— Saeed Ajmal (@REALsaeedajmal) September 23, 2016

Wonderful spell of bowling by @simadwasim Good work buddy. Very elegant knock @babarazam258 Great energy on the fielld . #PakistanZindabad🇵🇰

— Waqar Younis (@waqyounis99) September 24, 2016

Clinical win by team Pakistan last night ..Congrats to u all.. Special bowling effort by @simadwasim .. Make it 2-0 tonight .. Good luck

— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) September 24, 2016

Congrats green team

— Bilawal bhatti (@007Bilawal) September 23, 2016

Congratulations Boys!
Loved watching @babarazam258 powerful & delightful strokes!
Well bowled @simadwasim👍🏻
Congrats skipper @SarfarazA_54

— Syeda Nain Abidi عابدی (@SyedaNain18) September 23, 2016

Well played Team Pakistan! Well led Captain Sarfraz! Well bowled Young Immad! Well coached Micky. Well supported Pak crowd. House full!

— Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) September 23, 2016

Well done @simadwasim and @babarazam258 for match winning performance against the World Champions.

— Atiq-uz-Zaman (@Atiq160Test) September 23, 2016