Pakistan Seal T20I Series with Seventh Consecutive Win Over West Indies

Lauderhill, Florida:
Pakistan edged past West Indies in the series decider by 13 runs, wrapping up the three-match T20I series 2-1 and securing their seventh consecutive T20I series victory against the Caribbean side.

After the dramatic thriller in the second T20I, this final clash bore a closer resemblance to the series opener calculated, strategic, and ultimately controlled by Pakistan. A brilliant 138-run opening stand between Sahibzada Farhan (74) and Saim Ayub (66) laid the foundation, while the bowlers kept their cool in the death overs to hold off a spirited West Indies chase.

Opting to bat first, Pakistan looked more composed compared to their previous outing, with Ayub and Farhan navigating the early overs cautiously. While the strike rate remained modest for much of the innings, the pair’s consistency ensured a platform was set.

With four overs remaining and the score moving slowly at 8.5 runs per over, Pakistan needed a boost. The wicket of Farhan proved to be the turning point not a setback, but a spark. Hasan Nawaz came in swinging, and with contributions from the lower order, Pakistan smashed 53 runs in the final four overs, including a 20-run flourish in the last over. The absence of boundaries was offset by well-timed sixes that took the total to a competitive 189 for 4.

West Indies Fall Just Short

The hosts began their reply in blazing fashion, hammering 33 runs in the first two overs, igniting hopes of a successful chase. Athanaze (60) and Rutherford (51) kept them in the game, and by the 16th over, they were slightly ahead of Pakistan’s comparative score.

But pressure mounts in the closing stretch. Haris Rauf’s fiery 17th over, followed by a game-changing spell from Sufiyan Muqeem, turned the tide. Muqeem’s delivery to bowl Jason Holder brought in after Roston Chase was tactically retired out was symbolic of Pakistan’s death-over dominance. Holder, stunned by a ripping flipper, could only watch his off-stump cartwheel.

The West Indies batting effort fizzled from there, with Pakistan’s bowlers expertly shutting down the scoring and sealing a 13-run victory.