An electrifying bowling display from Jayden Seales propelled the West Indies to a dominant 202-run victory over Pakistan in the third and deciding One Day International (ODI) at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago. The emphatic win secured the Caribbean side’s first ODI series triumph over Pakistan since 1991, marking a historic moment for West Indies cricket.
Seales’ Destructive Spell Breaks Pakistan’s Batting Line-Up
Chasing a target of 295, Pakistan crumbled under relentless pace and precision from Seales. The right-arm quick ripped through the top order with early strikes, dismissing Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, and Mohammad Rizwan inside the first three overs, reducing Pakistan to a disastrous 8-3.
Pakistan’s hopes suffered another blow when Seales trapped captain Babar Azam lbw for just nine runs, leaving the visitors reeling. Returning for his second spell, Seales cleaned up Hasan Ali and Naseem Shah to complete a remarkable six-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 6-18. Pakistan was eventually bundled out for just 92 runs.
West Indies’ Strong Batting Foundation
Earlier, Pakistan had won the toss and elected to bowl, starting with disciplined lines that restricted the hosts’ scoring rate. The West Indies found themselves at 68-3 after Keacy Carty’s lbw dismissal to Abrar Ahmed. Sherfane Rutherford also struggled, scoring only 15 from 40 deliveries.
However, Roston Chase injected momentum into the innings with a brisk 36 before falling to Naseem Shah. Gudakesh Motie was caught and bowled by Mohammad Nawaz, momentarily halting the home team’s progress.
Hope Leads Late-Over Onslaught
The turning point came in the final overs when captain Shai Hope and Justin Greaves unleashed a brutal counterattack. The pair added a staggering 110 runs in just 8.1 overs, punishing the Pakistani bowlers and pushing the total to an imposing 294-6. Hope’s masterful knock of 120 not out, laced with crisp stroke play and calculated aggression, anchored the innings and set up the victory platform.
Series Significance
The triumph is a major confidence boost for the West Indies, especially after heavy defeats against Australia earlier in the year in both Test and T20 formats. Breaking a 34-year drought against Pakistan in ODI series wins, the victory underlines the progress of the team under new leadership and offers renewed optimism ahead of upcoming fixtures.
Pakistan, meanwhile, will be left to reassess their batting vulnerabilities, having suffered a complete collapse despite a bowling attack that initially had the hosts under pressure.
With Seales’ career-best performance and Hope’s century, the West Indies sent a clear message, they are ready to reclaim their competitive edge in the ODI arena.
