West Indies tour of Pakistan

3rd One-Day International

Venue: Multan Cricket Stadium

Result: Pakistan won by 53 runs (DLS)

Series: Pakistan won 3-0

Player-of-the-Match: Shadab Khan

Scorecard: https://www.windiescricket.com/matches/211855/#scorecard

Captain Nicholas Pooran and allrounder Akeal Hosein excelled ball and bat respectively but their brilliantly efforts could not save West Indies from going under to defeat for the third time in the three-match series on Sunday.

West Indies managed to restrict Pakistan to 269-9 in a contest reduced to 48 overs due to a dust storm which halted the innings after 33 overs. Pooran, more known for his attacking stroke-play and wicket-keeping, introduced himself into the attack and twirled his off-breaks to pick up 4-48. He was the spearhead his team’s attack while seamer Keemo Paul claimed 2-57 in his first appearance of the series.

As a consequence of Pooran’s 10-over magic spell – he had previously bowled only three balls in international cricket against Australia in Barbados last year – Pakistan found themselves in deep problems at 117-5 in the 25th over. However, Player-of-the-Match Shadab Khan pulled them out of the trouble with a counter-attacking 86 off 78 balls.

In their turn at the crease, West Indies then quickly slumped at the half-way stage of the innings before Hosein arrived to blast an entertaining career-best 37-ball 60 and provide a glimmer of hope. He struck two fours and six sixes and brought back memories of his near match-winning cameo against England in the T20Is Series in Barbados earlier this year.

However, Shadab intervened again, this time with his more favoured leg-spin and took 4-62 to end a memorable match. West Indies were bowled out for 216 in the 38th over as they slipped to another loss.

Pooran was frank in his assessment of the match and the series. “The [last] two games were disappointing for us. We did poorly, especially with the bat. We take that. Looking at the first game, we thought we did really good as a team and going forward, I think that’s our template. There are a lot of positives from this series. We learnt a lot as a team so we’re looking forward,” he said.

West Indies will travel home on Monday where they will prepare to face Bangladesh in an all-format series – two Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is. The first Test match is slated for the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, staring Thursday. First ball is 10am (9am Jamaica).

-ENDS-