In a commanding display of skill, the West Indies secured a decisive victory against Pakistan in the third and final ODI held in Trinidad. The West Indies won by a substantial margin of 202 runs, thus clinching the series with a 2-1 scoreline. This triumph is especially significant as it marks their first home series win against Pakistan in a remarkable 36 years.
Chasing a target of 295, Pakistan’s batting lineup crumbled under pressure, getting bowled out for a mere 92 runs in just 29.2 overs. The Pakistani batsmen struggled to form partnerships and stabilize the innings. A shocking statistic saw five Pakistani players – Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, and Abrar Ahmed – dismissed without scoring. Salman Ali Agha offered a glimmer of hope with 30 runs, but lacked support from the other end.
Babar Azam’s poor form continued, scoring only 9 runs before getting out. This adds an unwanted record to his name: 72 international innings without a century. His struggles have raised concerns about his performance across all formats of the game.
Jayden Seales was the standout performer for the West Indies, dismantling Pakistan’s batting with six crucial wickets, conceding only 18 runs in 7.2 overs with an impressive economy rate of 2.45.
Earlier in the innings, West Indies captain Shai Hope led the charge, scoring 120 runs off 125 balls, including 10 fours and 5 sixes. His anchoring role was pivotal in helping his team reach 294/6 in 50 overs. This victory represents a landmark achievement for West Indies cricket, as it’s their first home ODI series win against Pakistan since 1988 and their first bilateral ODI series win since 1991.