TRINIDAD: The West Indies cricket team has won the one-day international (ODI) series against Pakistan, taking the decisive third match by a massive 202-run margin. The victory at the Queen’s Park Oval sealed the three-match series 2-1 for the hosts.
This series win marks the West Indies’ first victory over Pakistan in 34 years.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Pakistan’s decision backfired as the West Indies posted a formidable total of 294 for 6 wickets in their allotted 50 overs. The innings was built on a spectacular century from Captain Shai Hope, who scored a brilliant 120 runs off 94 balls. Hope’s knock, combined with a quick-fire 43 not out of just 24 deliveries from Justin Greaves, laid a solid foundation.
Other notable contributions came from Evin Lewis (37) and Roston Chase (36). For Pakistan, bowlers Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed each took two wickets, while Mohammad Nawaz and Saim Ayub managed one apiece.
In response to the challenging target of 295, Pakistan’s batting lineup crumbled under pressure, proving to be no match for the West Indies’ disciplined bowling attack. The team was bundled out for a paltry 92 runs in just the 30th over.
A series of poor shot selections and disciplined bowling from the West Indies saw five Pakistani batsmen Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Hagan Ali, and Abrar Ahmed all depart without scoring.
The only significant contributions came from Salman Ali Agha (30) and Mohammad Nawaz, who remained not out on 23. This collapse was spearheaded by a career-best performance from West Indies pacer Jayden Seales, who tore through the Pakistani lineup to claim an impressive six wickets for just 18 runs. Gudakesh Motie and Roston Chase also contributed with two and one wicket, respectively.
“Pakistan’s stand-in captain, Babar Azam, acknowledged his team’s poor performance, saying, “Our batting was simply not up to the mark. We failed to build partnerships, and the pressure was too much. We need to go back and analyze what went wrong and come back stronger.”
Hesson calls for improvements in death Bowling and Batting
Head Coach Mike Hesson addressed the media, expressing his disappointment over Pakistan’s series loss. He emphasized that the team needs significant improvement, particularly in death bowling and the top-order batting.
Hesson lamented a missed opportunity to win the second ODI and noted that in the final match, the bowlers performed well for the first 35 overs but struggled to execute a “Plan B” as the West Indies batsmen began to dominate. He admitted the team lacked sufficient bowling options and that while some good Yorkers were bowled, too many deliveries were placed favorably for the batsmen.
Despite the defeat, Mike Hesson found positives, commending the performances of young players like Hassan Nawaz and Hussain Talat, along with the consistent effort from the team’s spin bowlers throughout the series. The coach’s remarks highlight the crucial challenges the team must overcome before their next international assignment.
The decisive victory gives the West Indies a memorable series win. For Pakistan, the heavy defeat serves as a wake-up call, with the team needing to address significant batting frailties before their next international assignment. The series will be remembered for the West Indies’ resilience and their ability to bounce back after losing the first match, ultimately sealing a historic victory.
