In a gripping finale under the Caribbean lights, Pakistan edged out West Indies by 13 runs in the third and final T20I to seal the series 2-1, wrapping up their short-format showdown in style.
Winning the toss and opting to bat first, Pakistan’s opening pair exploded from the get-go. Shahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub laid a formidable foundation with a 138-run opening stand, showcasing class, composure, and clean hitting. Farhan hammered a fluent 74, while Ayub matched the firepower with a blistering 66, pushing Pakistan to a competitive 184/4 at the end of their 20 overs.
Despite early struggles, the Windies fought back with the ball in the death overs. Jason Holder, Roston Chase, and Shamar Joseph each claimed a wicket, curbing Pakistan’s momentum and preventing them from breaching the 200-run mark.
In reply, the West Indies batters came out swinging but fell just short. Alick Athanaze fought valiantly with a spirited 60, while Sherfane Rutherford added punch in the middle order with a brisk 51. Yet the chase faltered under pressure, ending at 176/6, 13 runs shy of glory.
Pakistan’s bowlers kept their nerves intact during the crunch overs. The wickets were spread evenly as Hasan Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Haris Rauf, Saim Ayub, and Sufiyan Muqeem chipped in with one wicket apiece to tighten the screws.
For his all-round brilliance and vital breakthroughs throughout the series, Hasan Nawaz was deservedly crowned Player of the Series.
With the T20I chapter closed, attention now shifts to the upcoming ODI series, set to begin on August 8, promising another round of riveting cricket between two unpredictable powerhouses.
